We arrived in Denver at about 6:30pm yesterday, half an hour before we were supposed to as the event was set to start at 7. As we waited in the bus, Leonel (OCCCO Leader) and Idalia (OCCCO Leader) got the group energized with some uplifting "alabanzas" praise songs. Entering the event Denver, MOP (a PICO affiliate) had around 250 people (final head count) who greeted us. This was by far our best event yet, the energy of people from the bus was amazing set off by OCCCO leaders Idalia and Leonel as they filled the early arrival with song and dance. I was unable to get footage of this as I was closely coordinating with MOP organizer Carmen to make the event successful. I'm sure Fernando got some good footage though. After the enrgizing event, again MOP leaders and parishioners from San Antonio de Padua prepared a wonderful dinner for us. Thanks to all of them. We were then finally off to the hotel to shower and get a goodnight's rest. Once we got to the hotel Fernando and I checked in everyone and said farewell until D.C. Denver is where me and 4 other bus riders get off to travel by plane early Saturday morning in order to make room for people to get on in Kansas City and Columbus OH. As I sit here blogging and sending trip updates with two BOCA (Berkeley PICO affiliate) leaders Sandy and Estrella and two OCO (Oakland PICO affiliate) youth leaders Carmen and Monica we are preparing for an intense day of media training as they will represent the bus riders with media in D.C. Gotta keep up the work, no rest for the weary. On this snowy day in Denver we are continuing the fight here and preparing some great leaders to be in the media spotlight. Que sigue la lucha y les hablo de D.C. Let the efforts continue and I will talk to you from D.C.
Eddie Carmona
Community Organizer
OCCCO