John, many of you know about my vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 – a 60-word resolution which gave President Bush nearly unlimited war powers. 

But in the aftermath of being the only "no" vote, I didn't know what to expect. I just knew none of it would be easy.

Immediately after, I walked back through the tunnel to my office. My phone was ringing off the hook and I answered – it was my dad, a retired Lt. Colonel. "That was the right vote. I'm a military man and you can tell them that," he said. It meant a lot. 

I remember how much I kept trying to explain my vote to my colleagues: that it would give the President the right to start any war without going to Congress. But still, no one would listen. After the 420-1 vote, I was stuck in D.C. for two or three weeks because of concerns for my safety, and letters kept arriving from people calling me a traitor. 

I got a lot of phone calls, even death threats. Members of my family did, too. I wasn't safe in my own home, and the Secret Service had to close the street down just for me to visit my children. 

But after enough time passed, the letters started to change – people were actually thanking me for my decision. I even got a kind note from Coretta Scott King.

When I finally got back to the Bay Area, I was greeted with a rally put together by friends, activists, Danny Glover, Alice Walker and more. I looked out at the crowd and there they were: over 3,000 people supporting me and my vote. 

Now, every year since that vote, I've introduced legislation to repeal the AUMF – and every year, more and more of my colleagues join my fight. My position – once called radical – has become the position of the Democratic Party. 

You see, I've never been afraid to stand up for what's right, even if I'm the only one. Now, I'm running for Senate to continue my fight and bring my bold and unapologetic commitment to progress where it's needed most. 

But I can't do it without your help, so please: Will you chip in $5 or more right now to help power my historic run for the Senate? With your support, I'll continue to fight tirelessly for what's right, no matter the cost.

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Thank you for being such an important part of this movement for progress.

– Barbara Lee



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