By Brian Burstyn

Today was our second full day in Washington DC and it was just as packed as yesterday. We were on the bus by 8:45 AM. We first met with NARAL Pro-Choice America, which is an organization that is a Pro-choice lobby. We met with the Pro-life group in Dallas a month ago, so this was interesting to hear the other side. Today we heard how this organization feels the government should not be involved in a choice that should be made by a woman, her family and her doctor. They also believe in comprehensive sex education. The head of the organization, Nancy Keenan, basically the main voice of the Pro-Choice movement, came into the meeting to meet with us. It was really great to hear from such a prominent person.

NARAL Pro-Choice

Our next meeting was with Amnesty International. The head of the Mid-Atlantic region met with us. They believe in fighting for human rights, they are opposed to the death penalty, and against the arrest of people for protesting non-violently. We also spoke about Guantanamo Bay and what is happening to the prisoners there. He also spoke to us about how we should get involved in whatever issue feels right to us. He made me realize that in our country we can say what we want and not get put in jail. I felt privileged to be a citizen of this country. He also challenged us to realize that to whom much is given (us), much is expected.

Amnesty International

After lunch, we went to our third meeting with J Street. They are a Pro-Israel lobby that believes in a two state solution to the situation in Israel, West Bank, and Gaza. This was very interesting as I always wondered what could be done to bring peace to our holy land. We also spoke about their ideas on the splitting up of Jerusalem. I am looking forward to our meeting with AIPAC on Monday to see their views on what J Street had to say.

J Street

After a quick coffee break, we went to our last meeting with NORML – the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws. We met the Executive Director, Allen St. Pierre. He seemed very intelligent on this issue. He spoke first about the history of the organization, then the history of marijuana in this country. We then spoke about medicinal uses for marijuana and then why he supports the responsible use of marijuana for recreational purposes. He supports the legalization based on what he views as the over-jailing of pot users, and that the police would be better able to use their time. He also says that if alcohol and tobacco are legal, we should readjust how we view marijuana and put the same standards we use for regulating tobacco and alcohol.

NORML

After dinner, we went to an Orthodox Synagogue for Friday night services. At the temple, I saw people praying differently than I have seen before. I am a Reform Jew and have never been to an Orthodox temple. It was amazing to see how religious the congregants were. It makes me want to study the Torah and learn more about the Jewish religion.

Throughout this trip I realized how that for each issue, there is always another side, whether it is abortion or marijuana use.