March of the People Commences

~ Sergio and Mario prepare ~

Mario Penalver worked on his walking stick among other preparations that went late into the night Wednesday and into the early dawn of Thursday, June 21st as friend and accomplished artist Sergio Quinones put the finishing touches on a graphic on the recently acquired support van.

~ Bruce Berry, Mikael Rudolph, Mario and Ovidio Penalver and Russ Christensen ~

First Day marchers Bruce Berry and Mikael Rudolph, Mario, his father Ovidio and Russ Christensen came together for a photograph before Mikael and Ovidio headed back after about ten miles of walking along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive – the first street in the nation named after the famed preacher and activist who led thousands to protest in the March on Washington in 1963.

~ Kickoff Rally at “The Bean” ~

Marchers gathered with World Can’t Wait organizers at Millenium Park in Chicago in front of “The Cloud Gate”, commonly called “The Bean” starting at 8:30 a.m. The marchers left at about 10:30 and headed through the heart of downtown with signs protesting the war and calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney.

For various reasons, at the end of the first day of marching, everyone peeled off except for Mario and Sergio, who was driving the support van. They were hosted the first night in South Holland, Illinois at the home of a friend of Sergio’s. The decision was made to pare down the scope of the march – at least for the early legs – and that Mario would take only the bare essentials and continue to head east alone.

This morning, Sergio headed home to Chicago. Mario’s backpack fading in his rear view mirror, protest flag in hand.

At the time of this writing, Mario was walking through Calumet City, Indiana on his way toward Hammond, Indiana, a short 8 or 9 mile walk after yesterday’s 17 miles.

The first major event planned is for South Bend, Indiana where hosts have a band playing to greet him upon his arrival into the city this coming Tuesday evening and are holding a support rally on Wednesday.

The MarchofthePeople is a protest for peace through justice as served primarily through the impeachment and removal from office of the instigators of the illegal and immoral invasion and occupation of Iraq.

For Press inquiries and further information:

CONTACT:
Mikael Rudolph
[email protected]
(612) 302-9252