I originally wrote this blog back on Saturday, May 5, 2007 which can be found here: http://kokesh.blogspot.com/
Speech for UMBC Solidarity Coalition at UMBC
From Monday, April 30th to Friday, May 4th, the UMBC Solidarity Coalition hosted a five-day fast and "sit-out" to protest the illegal U.S. occupation of Iraq called Hungry For Peace. Several students, faculty, and staff camped out on the Commons Terrace and fasted from food for the entire week without leaving the area. Each day of the fast represented an estimated 100,000 of the total estimated 500,000 Iraqi civilians killed from the illegal U.S. occupation - over 50 times the entire undergraduate student body of UMBC!
Many others participated by wearing black arm bands, fasting for a meal or a day, making supportive chalk art, donating a meal to charity, and hanging out for the daily speeches. I was invited to speak on Wednesday, adding my name to the esteemed list, which included Tina Richards, Raed Jarrar, UMBC veteran Thomas Greg, and Tassi McKee.
This was my first extended speech on behalf of IVAW, and I considered it to be a very important test. When I came back from Iraq, I spoke for nearly two hours at the Athenaeum at CMC, but I just told stories and showed slides, and it was very low pressure. And I had spoken at concerts for IVAW, but never for more than a few minutes. To speak passionately and with the goal to inspire for 45 minutes was expected to be a challenge.
I was introduced by Jonathan Williams, who was instrumental in coordinating the entire event. He handed me the microphone, and the first two minutes went smoothly until a school administrator walked up to the amp and killed the mic. After a brief argument, I just said, “fuck it, I’ll do it without the mic.” This was definitely a challenge as I was competing with a girl who was playing guitar and singing on the other side of the terrace, who was apparently authorized to have a mic, and some student group playing music down the hall.
So I stood up on the bench and belted it out. The administrator listened intently for five minutes before killing the music down the hall and coming back. I kept my eyes focused on him for the rest of the speech. Most of my “applause lines” near the beginning fell flat, but by the end, I had to stop for applause in places that I didn’t expect it. It was a great feeling, and the feedback was tremendous.
I ended up going for exactly one hour, and most of the students there missed or went late to class to hear the end of the speech. By then I had totally lost my voice. The guys there bought me lunch, and I ate in front of them (with great embarrassment) only because they asked me to.
good info
A friend told me sometime ago and i have come to believe it. He said if you do some thing that you live doing, you will end up doing so much that you will not notice that you have done enough
I can understand the feeling, the challenge and the need to speak out. There must be a motivation. Some thing you need to look upon or ponder on before you can overcome this kind of challenge.
Am happy for you @adamkokesh for overcoming the pressure and standing up for the challenge. It will only make you better
good post,
tukisan anda sabgat teratur.....saya nudah untuk memahaminya...meskipun hal yang anda sampaikan saya tidak mwngeri...tapi saya yakin ini post yang bermanfaat...terimakasih
Good speech
Nice write-up , you have been blogging a long time ago o,i haven't start using phone theen, keep it up, i do like to read your post everytime, thats why am following you.
Sophisticated thought... @adamkokesh... I visited your blog.. Its really awesome.. The top image of the site is perfect..
I really appreciate the students who appreciate your time by listening to a serious speech (I'm sure they are very respectful of you)
I hope many people will support you @adamkokesh and I am one of those people.
I ask for advice on my latest writing about FIND YOUR FREEDOM BEHIND THE DOOR
if you do not mind visiting for a little advice on my writing. i hope many people are motivated by you my teacher @adamkokesh and my prayers always accompany
Thank for this @adamkokesh
you were worried about your speech and then you gave a speech for 1hr..... !!!
and also earned the attention of the students, that defines the quality of your speech, well done 👏👏👏
Great stuff Adam!
Good luck Mr @adamkokesh