Let America Be America Again

On January 20, 2005, at the moment the oath of office is being administered in Washington, D.C., (12 noon EST) Artists and Writers for Peace will bring people together in BART Plaza in downtown Berkeley to read the Langston Hughes poem Let America Be America Again. Anyone in attendance who wants to join in will have a chance to come to the microphone and read one stanza--the reading will continue until everyone has had a turn or the light grows dim.

We are sending a call out to people all over the country to make their own form of this action as part of their Inauguration day activities. We like the idea of all of the voices raised to drown out the speeches and pontification and lies that will emanate from our nation\\\'s capitol that day. And we like the idea of everyone reading the poem at 12 noon EST--the official hour of the inauguration ceremony.

While Let America Be America Again was first published in 1936, it speaks to us today with a voice both critical and hopeful.

More information here:
http://www.berkeleyartsfestival.com/