Molly Rush is a longtime peace and social justice advocate in Pittsburgh. She is a co-founder of the Thomas Merton Center in Pittsburgh and Healthcare for all PA. The Thomas Merton Center is having its 50th anniversary this year. It has served as an umbrella organization for many progressive organizations in the Pittsburgh area. At their annual banquet, they have honored individuals such as Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, Amy Goodman and Medea Benjamin. She spoke with Allegheny Independent Media.
Molly Rush and I discussed the early days of the Merton Center and how it came about. We also discussed her anti war activism which began even before the Vietnam War. We then discussed her anti nuclear efforts with Father Daniel Berrigan which led to her being arrested and spending time in jail. She said that she has been arrested over 20 times. Finally, we discussed efforts to improve healthcare and her advice to young activists.
Next week, I will be at the Netroots Nation Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. It is an annual gathering of online peace and social justice advocates from Aug 18-20 at the David L Lawrence Convention Center. Past speakers there have included Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Barack Obama, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I hope to learn a lot there and get some good interviews.