THE VISION

Walk for Change Washington DC September 13 2008

My name is Rhonda Barnes. I was born in Detroit. I am 50 years old and am a former republican. Like many others in Michigan, I recently lost my job at GM. I was never involved in politics until Barack Obama inspired me to get involved. On February 10, 2007 Senator Obama announced his candidacy for the President of the United States. Now I know that I can make a difference.

I started the Diversity4Obama group on February 11, 2007 the following day. Our group is made up of Obama supporters from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual preference or disability.

Barack Obama offers many like us hope. We believe in his vision that we, the people, can be part of the change that is needed in our government, needed in Washington. In his own words:

The genius of our founders is that they designed a system of government that can be changed.

And we should take heart, because we've changed this country before. For that is our unyielding

faith - that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it.

I planted just one seed...to Walk in Washington D.C., out nation’s capital to show the world that Americans from all walks of life support Barack Obama. Walkers are coming from many states, New York, Michigan, Florida, California, Illinois, Maryland, Louisiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas and others. Here are some of their testimonies:

I am coming from Sarasota, Florida. I, a 66 year old white woman, retired US Diplomat. I have signed up for this walk to show the diversity of his supporters to be part of something bigger than me, than Sarasota, with people from throughout the USA, all ages, walks of lives, races, ethic groups and to inspire others to do the same in a variety of ways and places to do this in Washington, DC, the capital of my beloved, albeit beleaguered, country.

I joined the group because I believe that it's what Barack Obama represents. Different people, views, and experiences. Diverse people working toward a common purpose.

I will be attending the walk in DC because I believe Barack Obama is different from any other politician. He will help us to fulfill MLK's dream. I am coming from Alexandria, VA.

I heard about the walk from a friend who was in Peace Corps with me 30 years ago. We are hoping that many from our Peace Corps group will join us .

I am part of Michigan State Students for Barack Obama, we are excited to be part of walk4change.

I think it's an important message to all of our legislators that change is desired and the status quo won't do any more. We need to have a strong message in our nation's capital.

We will be coming from Chicago, IL We are strong Obama supporters and very excited about this walk for change. I am so thankful you and others are putting this together.

I am coming from Hillsboro, West Virginia, and I am coming to Walk4Change-Walk4Obama because I believe that Senator Obama is the only candidate who understands and can begin to deliver the kinds of change for which many Americans are yearning. I want to share and celebrate this common vision with thousands of other Obama supporters.

I will be coming from NYC to attend the Walk 4 Change in DC. I am attending this event because I believe that a change, lead by Senator Obama, is about to happen in America and I want to be a part of it.

I am coming from Sterling Heights, Michigan. I signed up because I thought this would be a wonderful historic event for my 17 year old grandson. He is the youngest of my 10 grandchildren. He turns 18 in September and this will be his first time voting. I wanted to share this experience with him. We are both excited. He is coming from Lansing, Michigan.

I will be coming from Ann Arbor, MI. I have signed up for this walk to show support for Senator Obama and the possibility of change. We have been through a lot in the past years and we need hope, Because no matter what the right wing says people are experiencing hard times that cannot be ignored.

My reason for the walk is just to demonstrate my support for Obama and for the style of political discourse he represents: straight-talk about serious issues instead of games-playing and posturing

I’m from Salisbury, MA. I want to join the "walk4change walk4obama" march in Washington DC because I am inspired by Barack Obama's message of unity. I think that a group based on America's diversity marching in our nation's capitol to support a message of unity is a strong symbol of Obama's strength.
I will be coming from Fishkill, NY with my 11 year old son. I believe that Barack Obama is a leader who will unite our country and heal our relations around the world. He will bring about positive change for our country. He represents the hope of a better tomorrow and the realization that anything and everything is possible if we work hard for our dreams. That is why I intend to march...My son, who is very excited about the possibility of Barack Obama being president has said that he now wants to be president one day. Barack Obama has inspired my son (who is African American and Hispanic) to believe in his dreams. That is enough for me to march any day

YES TOGETHER WE CAN!

BACK TO WALK4CHANGE HOME