Support Cindy Sheehan! Updates

Dustin Langley is a member of the Troops Out Now Coalition, a Navy veteran, and an
organizer with the No Draft! No Way counter-recruiting organization.

Anti-war protester and President of Gold Star Families for Peace, Cindy Sheehan (R) of Vacaville, California hugs supporter Dustin Langley of New York after he delivered to her letters (in her hand) of goodwill from New York supporters at her roadside protest near the ranch of U.S. President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas, August 18, 2005. Anti-war protesters held candles, sang, and chanted in vigils across the country on Wednesday in support of Cindy Sheehan, who has camped out near President George W. Bush's ranch to urge him to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, where her son was killed a year ago.

Cindy Sheehan Update: Bring the Troops Home Now!

posted August 16, 2005

"I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' "Was it freedom and democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East.

We're not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism. There, I used the "I" word, imperialism, and now I'm going to use another "I" word, impeachment because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail." - Cindy Sheehan

Support Cindy Sheehan!
Bring the Troops Home Now!

DONATE ( www.troopsoutnow.org/donate.html ) to help send a Troops Out Now Coalition Delegation to Crawford, Texas

Update from Crawford, Texas

"I was told my son was killed in the war on terror. He was killed by George Bush's war of terror on the world." -Cindy Sheehan

Friday

On Friday, even more protesters poured in from all over the country, including veterans, military families, and antiwar activists.

President Bush's motorcade sped past the more than 100 hundred people gathered at Camp Casey and the hundreds of small crosses, stars of David, and Islamic crescents set up along the roadside in memory of those killed in Iraq. Bush did not stop to look or slow down--he was on his way to a fundraiser at the nearby Broken Spoke Ranch, a 478-acre spread next to Bush's ranch, where he met with some 230 people who have contributed at least $25,000 to the RNC.

Throughout the day, cars and vans of activists continued to flood the area. Sheehan said, "You would not believe it, there's a line of cars down a five-mile road and hundreds of them are going by."

Saturday

Hundreds of anti-war demonstrators rallied at a park in Crawford in support of Sheehan, then traveled several miles out to her Camp Casey. People had come from Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York and many other states to say "Bring the Troops Home Now!"

Speakers at the rally inlcuded representatives from Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Gold Star Mothers for Peace. Cindy Sheehan, describing the day's events, said, " It was the most incredible, fantastic, fabulous, amazing, powerful, miraculous event I have ever been apart of. I was so humbled and honored at the outpouring of love and support that arrived in Camp Casey today. It was a busy morning of interviews and problem solving. I had interviews with some network shows and a photo shoot for the Vanity Fair article. Almost all of the reporters ask me if I have accomplished anything at Camp Casey and I think we really have. We have brought the war onto the front pages of the newspapers and the top stories of the mainstream media. It is really incredible that we are doing so well in the media because I keep telling all of the reporters that I am doing their jobs. I am asking the tough questions of the President that they don't ask."

Meanwhile, President Bush attended a Little League playoff game near his Texas ranch. Bush welcomed the players, coaches and families to Texas from the pitcher's mound, and then threw out the first pitch and watched from behind home plate with the first lady and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. While Bush watched the southwestern regional championship, six more U.S. soldiers and an unkown number of Iraqi civilians died.

Back at Camp Casey, Cindy Sheehan hopped up into the bed of a pickup, and said, "Who knew the end of the occupation of Iraq would begin in Crawford, Texas, last Saturday?" she said, eliciting cheers. "Who knew America would stand up and say 'We're sick of this s—, bring'em home!'"

Sunday

Hundreds are still gathered in Camp Casey. Cindy Sheehan has stated that she intends to stay in Crawford until the end of August, when she will follow Bush to Washington DC. Supporters are still arriving in the Crawford area. The delegation from Troops Out Now is preparing now to join Camp Casey in Crawford in the next few days.

A Video from Crawford: videos.informationclearinghouse.info/CindySheehan-96mb.mov

How you can help

1) Go to Crawford: www.meetwithcindy.org/

2) Donate to Crawford Peace House: www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/

3) Contact Your Representatives: www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

4) Sign Cindy's Online Petition: http://:elandslide.org/elandslide/petition.cfm?campaign=cindy

5) A list of supplies that Camp Casey needs donated can be found here: www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/9/153730/7332

Solidarity with Cindy Sheehan

The Troops Out Now Coalition has called on local activists to demonstrate soldarity with Cindy Sheehan and demand, "Bring the Troops Home Now!" Across the country, activists are organizing pickets, protests, and vigils; some are setting up "Camp Caseys" in parks, on roadwides, and in town squares.

New York City
Camp Casey NYC
Monday August15 5:00p.m.
Union Square
212.633.6646

Detroit, Michigan
Emergency Demonstration to support Cindy Sheehan
Monday, August 15 4-5:30 pm
McNamara Federal Building in Detroit
313.680.5508

Boston, Mass
Protest at Military Recruiting Station
Monday, August15, 5:30pm
Tremont St. (near Park St. Station)
Troop Out Now Coalition Boston
617.522.6626

LosAngeles, CA
Saturday, August 20, 2:00 pm
6430 Sunset (at Cahuenga)
in front of CNN
323.936.7266

Baltimore,MD
Wednesday, August17, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
at thecorner Martin Luther King Blvd.& Howard Street
(near the National Guard Armory and State Office Buildings)
apcbaltimore@pipeline.com or 410.235.7040

Miami, FL
Monday, August15, 5:00 pm
Bayfront Park,Torch Of Friendship
www.grassrootsmiami.com

Sacramento,CA
Callin' Pink' because you're sick & tired of WAR"
Monday,August 15
530.756.1900 in Sacramento area;
415.575.5555 in Bay Area;
oremailnatandben@aol.comoritsherbiz@yahoo.com
www.bayareacodepink.org

Help send Troops Out Now to Crawford

The Troops Out Now Coalition is sending a solidarity delegation to Crawford Texas this week. In addition to supporting the action there and bringing supplies, Troops Out Now activists will also provide video and written reports from Camp Casey, to make sure the message gets out.

The delegation will file daily reports which will be forwarded to activists, progressive organizations, and media outlets across the country and throughout the world.

This is a crucial period in the struggle against the war--military recruiting is plummeting, every poll indicates that the people are against the war, and the antiwar movement is occupying Crawford, Texas, to confront George W. Bush with his crimes. Now is the time to take action--what we do is making a difference.

We need your help to make this possible. Please consider making a generous donation online to help with equipment and transportation for the delegation.

Troops Out Now Coalition: www.troopsoutnow.org/

Donate: www.troopsoutnow.org/donate.html

In Solidarity with Cindy Sheehan Activists to Erect "Camp Casey - NYC" Veterans, Military Families, Antiwar Activists to Occupy Union Square

WHAT: "Camp Casey - NYC" in Union Square to support Cindy Sheehan and to demand "Troops Out Now!"

On Monday, August 15, in an action organized by the Troops Out Now Coalition, antiwar activists, clergy, military families, veterans, and labor organizers will
occupy the South Side of Union Square in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan and to demand, "bring the troops home now!"

Organizers say that they will erect "Camp Casey - NYC," named for the roadside encampment in Crawford, Texas, where Cindy Sheehan is demanding to speak to
President Bush about the war and the death of her son, Casey.

The event will also be a send-off for a delegation of military veterans from the Troops Out Now Coalition that will be joining Cindy Sheehan in Crawford.

The Troops Out Now Coalition has issued a call for nationwide demonstrations of solidarity with Sheehan on Monday. In addition to the New York City action, events will also take place in Baltimore, Detroit, Los Angeles, Charlotte, North Carolina, Boston, and numerous other cities across the country.

Cindy Sheehan is camped out in the hot desert sun, speaking out about the occupations of Iraq and Palestine and demanding answers from the criminal regime that killed her son along with more than 1800 other soldiers and more than 100,000 Iraqi people. She has vowed to stay at the roadside encampment, called Camp Casey, until she meets with the President or is arrested.

On Monday, August 15 antiwar activists, veterans, community organizers, and military families will gather in Union Square for a demonstration of solidarity with Cindy Sheehan. In New York City, we will gather in Union Square in Manhattan at 5:00 pm for a "Camp Casey - NYC." The Troops Out Now Coalition has called on local activists everywhere to demonstrate their solidarity with Cindy Sheehan on Monday

This will also be the day that the U.S.-appointed regime in Baghdad is scheduled to announce its new constitution, a reactionary document forced on the people of Iraq at gunpoint. August 15 is also the day that occupation forces are scheduled to withdraw from Gaza. This will be an excellent day, not only to stand in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan, but to echo her statement: "" I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism. There, I used the 'I' word - imperialism, and now I'm going to use another 'I' word - impeachment - because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail."

The delegation will file daily reports which will be forwarded to activists, progressive organizations, and media outlets across the country and throughout the world.

We need your help to make this possible. Please consider making a generous donation online http://www.troopsoutnow.org/donate.htm lto help with equipment and transportation for the delegation.

Update/- Dozens of protesters from across the country have joined Cindy Sheehan at Camp Casey, the roadside encampment where she waits to speak to President Bush about the war and about the death of her son.

President George W. Bush thought he could escape the rapidly deteriorating situation in Iraq by hiding out on his 1,600-acre Crawford, Texas, ranch for a five-week vacation. But the horrors of the war have followed him to his vacation hideaway.

Cindy Sheehan--whose 24-year old son, Spc. Casey Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., was killed in Baghdad's Sadr City on April 4, 2004--is determined to confront Bush. She said at a press conference today, "The election of Nov. 2 was not George Bush's accountability moment. This is George Bush's accountability moment, and I'm not leaving Crawford until we hold him accountable."

Camp Casey has grown to about 50 people, including other military families, veterans, and activists from all over the region, and there are predictions that numbers will swell to several thousand this weekend. Organizers are asking anyone who can to join them in Crawford, Texas.

Sheehan has vowed to stay in Texas, saying that there only three things that would prompt her to leave, she said: "a good meeting with the president, the end of August, or I get arrested."

Facing enormous public pressure, President Bush felt compelled to respond to Cindy Sheehan.

2) Call, fax, and email the White House and ask the staff there to contact the President on his ranch and ask him to meet with Cindy Sheehan.

"And the other thing I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism.

"There, I used the 'I' word - imperialism, and now I'm going to use another 'I' word - impeachment - because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail."

Cindy Sheehan, mother of Casey Sheehan, KIA 04/04/04

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Cindy Sheehan in Dallas What One Mom has to Say to Bush

August 9, 2005 / from http://counterpunch.org/ferner08092005.html/

By Mike Ferner

"That lying bastard, George Bush, is taking a five-week vacation in time of war," Cindy Sheehan told 200 cheering members of Veterans For Peace at their annual convention in Dallas last Friday evening. She then announced she would go to Bush's vacation home in nearby Crawford, Texas and camp out until he "tells me why my son died in Iraq. I've got the whole month of August off, and so does he."

Sheehan left the VFP meeting on Saturday morning and is now in Crawford with a couple dozen veterans and local peace activists, waiting for Bush to talk with her. She said in Dallas that if he sends anyone else to see her, as happened when national security adviser Steve Hadley and deputy White House chief of staff Joe Hagin did later that day, she would demand that "You get that maniac out here to talk with me in person."

She told the audience of veterans from World War Two to today's war in Iraq, that the two main things she plans to tell the man she holds responsible for son Casey's death are "Quit saying that U.S. troops died for a noble cause in Iraq, unless you say, 'well, except for Casey Sheehan.' Don't you dare spill any more blood in Casey's name. You do not have permission to use my son's name."

"There, I used the 'I' word - imperialism," the 48 year-old mother quipped. "And now I'm going to use another 'I' word - impeachment - because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail."

As the veterans in Dallas rose to their feet, Sheehan said defiantly, "My son was killed in 2004. I am not paying my taxes for 2004. You killed my son, George Bush, and I don't owe you a penny...you give my son back and I'll pay my taxes. Come after me (for back taxes) and we'll put this war on trial."

The co-founder of Gold Star Mothers for Peace objected to hearing that her son was among the soldiers lost in Iraq. "He's not lost," she said tearfully. "He's dead. He became an angel while I was sleeping."

She railed against the notion expressed by officials in the Bush administration that bringing the troops home now would dishonor the sacrifice of those who have died. "By sending honorable people to die, they so dishonor themselves. They say we must complete our mission...but why would I want one more mother to go through what I have, just because my son is dead?"

The Vacaville, California resident said she first heard of Veterans For Peace in early May last year, during a CNN report about an exhibit of white crosses arranged in rows in the Santa Barbara beach. The exhibit was organized by VFP Chapter 54 to memorialize each U.S. soldier killed in Iraq. Her son had died the month before. "I decided there was only one place I wanted to be on Mother's Day that year, and it was Santa Barbara," she told the VFP members in Dallas.

Retired Special Forces Sgt. and VFP member, Stan Goff, today initiated a "Talk to Cindy" campaign to get Bush to meet with Sheehan. Contact information for the White House is: (202) 456-1111 or comments@whitehouse.gov

Mike Ferner is a writer in Toledo, Ohio and a member of Veterans for Peace. He can be reached at mike.ferner@sbcglobal.net/