Greeted with thunderous applause, Democratic presidential contender John Edwards spoke in Berkeley on Sunday afternoon, imploring the American people to fight inequality actively.

Edwards was preceded by several notable speakers, including State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Julian Posadas, executive vice-president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, who emphasized the wage problem for custodians in the UC system.

“There is something wrong with America when children are forced not to see their parents because they have to work two to three jobs to make ends meet,” Posadas said. “We need leaders who have a proven track record of trying to end poverty like John Edwards.”

Having spoken with farmers and labor leaders in the San Joaquin Valley on Friday, Edwards continued on his tour of California at the YWCA on Bancroft Way, where he sought to represent UC custodial workers in his fight against wage disparities.

“We are standing with these workers who are trying to get a decent wage and to be able to support their families,” Edwards said. “It is part of today’s march of justice and equality.”

During his speech, Edwards advocated greater rights for women and gay people, as well as an aggressive campaign to reduce greenhouse emissions.

“America as a nation says, ‘We are going to commit ourselves to a serious long-term investment in biodegradable energy,’” Edwards said.

Edwards also prioritized an end to the conflict in Iraq, which he said was achievable only through decisive Congressional action.

“I was wrong to vote for this war,” Edwards said. “Putting more American men and women into this meat grinder is a tragic mistake.”

Central to Edwards’ speech, however, was his vow to increase educational opportunities and universal health care, an admittedly costly proposal he said he aims to achieve by repealing the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $200,000 annually.

“We have a dysfunctional health care system,” Edwards said. “We can take the truth about universal health care. It is not free.”

Edwards also said he seeks to alleviate the heavy loan debt that college students face by following the College for Everyone pilot program he established in a poor area of North Carolina.

The program will pay for books if the student is a high school graduate, qualified to attend college and committed to working ten hours a week.

Edwards’ speech was received with immense praise from the hundreds of local community members, UC Berkeley alumni and UC Berkeley students in attendance.

“Being able to come here to see someone who is running for president was an amazing opportunity,” said sophomore Caroline Szymanska, a group leader for Cal Lobby Day.

Tags: ELECTIONS 2008, NATIONAL ELECTIONS 2008, JOHN EDWARDS