Obama Campaign Press Release - Obama Supporters Mark Five-Year Anniversary of Speech Opposing Iraq War with Rallies across the Country

Chicago, IL -- The Obama campaign today announced that supporters will gather in 16 cities across the country on Tuesday, October 2nd, the five-year anniversary of Barack Obama's original speech opposing the Iraq War, to hold "Rallies to Turn the Page in Iraq."

In his 2002 remarks at a downtown Chicago rally, Obama warned that the war could lead to "a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences." His remarks came less than ten days before the U.S. Senate's October 11, 2002 vote to give the President authorization to go to war in Iraq.

"I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war," said Obama in his October 2nd speech. "...A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics."

Five years later, Obama supporters will come together to demonstrate that there is a grassroots movement to change the way Washington works and it begins by finally turning the page in Iraq. The October 2nd rallies will be followed by dozens of grassroots canvasses across the country on Saturday, October 13th.

A list of the planned rallies is below. Supporters can RSVP for both the rallies and canvasses online at my.barackobama.com/turnthepage and use the organizing tools on the site to plan canvasses in their home communities.

Obama, the only major candidate to oppose the Iraq war from the beginning, will headline an event in Chicago on October 2nd. He previously outlined a comprehensive plan to end the war in Iraq responsibly in a September 12th speech in Clinton, IA.

RALLIES TO TURN THE PAGE IN IRAQ:

NOTE: These events are open to the press. If you would like to cover one, please email media@barackobama.com.

TUSCALOOSA, AL

6:00 PM

Veterans Memorial Park

McFarland Blvd in front of University Mall

Tuscaloosa, AL

TUCSON, AZ

6:00 PM

El Presidio Plaza Park (behind City Hall)

175 W Alameda St

Tucson, AZ

LOS ANGELES, CA

12:00 PM

Federal Building Steps

11000 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA

SACRAMENTO, CA

12:00 PM

All War Memorial

1350 N Street

N Street between 13th and 14th

Sacramento, CA

SAN DIEGO, CA

5:00 PM

War Memorial Building

Balboa Park

3325 Zoo Drive

San Diego, CA

BOULDER, CO

5:30 PM

University Memorial Center

Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court

University of Colorado-Boulder

Broadway St & Euclid Ave

Boulder, CO

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

4:00 PM

Steps of City Hall

107 N. Nevada Ave.

Colorado Springs, CO

DENVER, CO

5:30 PM

Veterans Memorial - Lincoln Park

(Civic Center, across from State Capitol)

Lincoln St. & E Colfax Ave.

Denver, CO

PUEBLO, CO

6:00 PM

Veterans Monument

26th and Elizabeth

Pueblo, CO

LAWRENCE, KS

6:00 PM

South Park

1141 Massachusetts St.

Lawrence, KS

COLUMBIA, MO

6:00 PM

Courthouse Square

801 E. Walnut

Columbia, MO 65201

ST. LOUIS, MO

6:00 PM

World's Fair Pavilion, Forest Park

St. Louis, MO 63110

ST. PAUL, MN

6:00 PM

Campus Center Lawn

Macalester College

1600 Grand Ave

St Paul, MN

PRINCETON, NJ

5:30 PM

Palmer Square

" Tiger Park" Section, Intersection of Nassau Street and Palmer Square East/Palmer Square West

Princeton, New Jersey

BROOKLYN, NY

5:30 PM

Steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall

209 Joralemon Street

Brooklyn, NY

NASHVILLE, TN

6:00 PM

Belmont University

1900 Belmont Boulevard

Nashville, TN