DAWN emerged on the scene in October 2002 in opposition to the war on Iraq and has become a significant force in the Peace movement. We've been recognized by various media outlets ranging from Chicago Public Radio to the NBC Nightly news and the Oprah Winfrey Show. A vigil recently sponsored by DAWN with the help of Moveon.org drew over 450 people with a few days notice to downtown Glen Ellyn.

A sub-group formed in August of 2003, DAWN Voter Advocates, is DuPage County's largest voter registration organization. DVA registered over 6,000 new voters prior to the 2004 election. Their efforts in furthering democracy won DAWN a Citizen Initiative Award from the Citizen's Advocacy Center and an award from the York Township Democrats.

In January, 2005, DAWN formed a partnership with the League of Women Voters Illinois and have assisted them in their Elections Reform Committee with language for bills proposed to the Illinois House and Senate. Pollwatcher bill SB0299 passed recently by both houses and and is now awaiting the governor's signature, a victory for those who value free and fair elections and non-partisan oversight at the polls.

DAWN will continue to meet monthly, with an emphasis on voter education and registration going into the coming months.

DAWN will also act to safeguard and protect the constitutional rights of DuPage County residents who wish to speak out peacefully and legally against the Iraq war. For information and updates on protection of free speech in DuPage County, visit
http://www.youtube.com/user/DuPageFight4Freedom

Please contact us at DAWN_198@msn.com if you would like to join us in any of these endeavors.