Is there an activist in the house? You bet (Wellstone Tribute)

[Supormom]

Is there an activist in the house? You bet
Mary Jane Smetanka, Star Tribune
October 25, 2004
NORTHFIELD, MINN. -- Paul Wellstone taught for 20 years at Carleton College, but there's no statue or even a plaque on a wall to mark the fact. Dave Holman thinks that's just fine.

Holman and seven other students have created a living memorial to the former Minnesota senator in the Wellstone House of Organization and Activism (WHOA), a funky residence filled with activist Carleton students who want to make change in their community and world in their own way.

"He's not someone who would want a bronze statue in the town square," said Holman. "Having people working for issues he believed in is a better tribute."

Today, residents of the house will mark the second anniversary of Wellstone's death with a post-screening discussion after a showing of the documentary "Wellstone." But they are working daily to make their own difference, not by sticking to an agenda dictated by Wellstone's views but by trying to change things they believe are important.

They are teeming with ideas, from promoting sustainable energy and setting up a cultural exchange with an Indian reservation to addressing U.S. involvement in Central America. Last week, they ran a forum that brought local political candidates to campus. They publish a weekly Web bulletin on Northfield political events. In the spring, they will work with high school students to paint a mural about Northfield and perhaps the global community on the front of the house.

More ...
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1592/5049529.html
(StarTribune requires registration)

[mom cat]

1. This is the best tribute to Paul: more dedicated people carrying on the

fight for democracy! That, along with the Wellstone group training activists are better than the biggest memorial that could ever be built. The only thing better would be for US Attorney General to open up a murder investigation!