Dueling Movements Ignite
Upon Return Of CINDY SHEEHAN
Pro-Bushers Strikes Back
With Anti-Protest Protest
Crawford Bulges At The Seams
By W. Leon Smith
ICONOCLAST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CRAWFORD — Approximately 7,000 demonstrators temporarily inhabited Crawford Saturday as two pro-American factions gathered in a variety of venues to express support for troops in Iraq.
The difference, however, was how the groups defined support.
What sparked the Saturday invasion was a journey to Crawford by Cindy Sheehan on Aug. 6. The mother of a slain soldier in the Iraq war took exception to remarks made by President Bush regarding the “noble cause” the soldiers have been fighting for. She was seeking a personal conversation with the President in order to obtain a truthful explanation.
The President, however, has declined Sheehan’s initiative. She, therefore, has been camping between Crawford and the Bush ranch, resolving to meet with the head of state while he takes his annual extended vacation.
Sheehan was called away to Los Angeles about midway in her vigil after her mother suffered a stroke, but Sheehan returned on Wednesday.
What began as Camp Casey, named after her son, has in the meantime expanded into two camps, Camp Casey I at the original site in a ditch and Camp Casey II nearer the Bush ranch on private property donated by a local landowner. Assisting Sheehan have been organizations and individuals supporting Sheehan and an end to the war in Iraq.
As the international news media zeroed-in on the story of a mother seeking answers for her son’s death, an opposition camp was established adjacent to Camp Casey I. Dubbed Camp Reality, it has consisted of pro-war demonstrators who support the President’s determination to “stay the course” with the war.
The Yellow Rose gift shop in downtown Crawford hosted the creation of yet another pro-Bush camp, called Camp Qualls, named after another soldier who died in Iraq. It is here that pro-Bush supporters have met to plan strategies. An additional camp was established near Crawford, again in support of Bush, called Camp George.
Saturday’s uprising, in 101-plus-degree, sweltering weather, consisted of pro-Bush advocates venturing to the 700-population community to stage a patriotic demonstration in an attempt to squash protestors against the war.
On the parking lot of Crawford High School’s Pirate Field, Howard Kaloogian, founder of Move America Forward, said that Sheehan’s anti-war protest feeds the Iraq insurgency. “The terrorists that are watching Cindy Sheehan’s protest believe that this is something that might topple the current administration.” he said.
Deena Burnett, wife of Tom Burnett, Jr. who was on the plane that crashed into a Pennsylvania field during 9/11/01, said, “We have a responsibility to our troops. Our nation stands divided. This war is not about us. We fight for those who can’t fight for themselves like my husband did.”
She added, “Our troops are promoting a better quality of life for the people in Iraq. I commend them for that and I thank them for their service to America and the world.”
The mother of Army CWO Eric Kesterson said, “My husband and I are not here speaking out. We are speaking up.”
A minor disruption occurred at the “You Don’t Speak For Me, Cindy!” rally when Ken Robinson of Richardson appeared carrying a sign that read “How to wreck your family in 30 days by ‘bitch in the ditch’ Cindy Sheehan.”
When an event organizer with FreeRepublic.com approached Robinson to object to the sign, voices were raised and Robinson was escorted in handcuffs away from the rally by a Woodway police officer.
Someone in the crowd yelled as the press filmed the encounter, “There go Cindy’s pimps, the media.”
In the meantime, bus loads of Sheehan supporters numbering in the thousands arrived continuously Saturday at Camp Casey II where entertainment and speeches highlighted their movement.
Throughout the afternoon, The Iconoclast had reporters stationed at Pirate Field parking lot, where the pro-Bush rally was held, and later at Camp Qualls. Reporters were also stationed at the segment of road inhabited by Camp Casey I and Camp Reality, and at Camp Casey II, to file reports for <www.iconoclast-texas.com> and the afternoon broadcast of The Brad Show via raw radio which has been broadcasting events related to Cindy Sheehan’s since Aug. 15.
The rally near Pirate Field started later than the announced 1 p.m. kickoff time due to the continuous arrival of anti-Sheehan demonstrators, as traffic congestion in Crawford boiled.
The Iconoclast’s Deborah Mathews described the scene this way:
“Yellow ribbons are tied around trees, telephone poles, and tent poles throughout this area. Singing is going on. A lot of people are leading dogs around. A huge American flag is hanging from a type of crane and it has pictures and little signs all over it. It is about 75 feet tall. There are many red, white, and blue balloons and banners. The media is out in full force.”
Following the rally, several members of Gold Star Families headed toward Camp Casey I, accompanied by law enforcement officers, to remove crosses bearing names of their family members. The crosses had been planted in a ditch there as a memorial to fallen soldiers. Across the highway from the crosses, members of Camp Reality had posted a long row of pro-Bush signs.
Others from the rally fanned out in town, and as vehicles departed created a traffic jam.
Near the Yellow Rose, where counter-protestors were milling about, several boys about high school age were walking in the direction of Pirate Field and yelled, “Cindy, the fucking whore, get out!”
A U-haul truck parked beside the highway carried a sign that read, “A mother’s loss, a nation’s pain.”
Individuals were strolling up to a replica of the Liberty Bell stationed in front of the Yellow Rose and were frequently pulling a rope, causing the bell to toll, as across the highway railroad crossing bars continuously went up, then down; up, then down, with no train in sight as the rally crowd disbursed.
Security was tight at Camp Casey I during the late morning hours, with 20 state trooper vehicles parked in the area, along with several Sheriff’s Department vehicles.
An early afternoon shouting match ensued between about 140 Sheehan supporters on one side of Prairie Chapel Road and 60 Bush supporters on the other.
As pro-war demonstrators yelled, “George Bush!,” the anti-war group finished the phrase with “War criminal!”
Pro-war supporters were displaying signs that read, “Where is your anti-sematic leader?” and “Cindy and Osama sitting in a tree.”
Vehicles passing between the two camps frequently honked as they passed by.
Individuals arriving at the Camp Casey I and Camp Reality were told by law enforcement personnel to choose a side and stay on that side.
Several bus loads of anti-war demonstrators journeyed to Camp Casey II during the day, where a large tent-like pavilion had been set up for about a week. An estimated 3,000 people ventured to this camp during the day, most staying to hear speeches and music.
Among the entertainers was folk singer Joan Baez, who kicked off the noon hour with “Amazing Grace,” and later sang “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Barbecue was being cooked for a massive feed later in the day.
Also appearing on stage was American Indian activist and performer Russell Means, who expounded upon the importance of women in society. He praised Sheehan for her stand against war.
Others speaking included veterans who are members of organizations that oppose the Iraq war.
When Sheehan took the stage, she talked about her plans to take her message “to the communities,” describing the mission as a “grass-roots movement that’s growing and growing.” She said, “I couldn’t stop it now if I wanted to. It’s got a life of its own. We’ll take it to the cities, then the House and the Senate.” 
THE AMERICAN FLAG stood approximately 70 ft. tall at the pro-Bush rally held near Pirate Field Saturday afternoon.
CINDY SHEEHAN addressed thousands at the big pavilion located at Camp Casey II on Saturday.
CROSSES ON THE LEFT, BUSH ON THE RIGHT. The road leading to Camp Casey I and Camp Reality was lined with crosses on the left and Bush posters on the right.
CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE — A refreshment stand stood colorful at Camp Reality Saturday.
THE PRO-BUSH RALLY was filled with thousands of participants Saturday afternoon.
A DOWNTOWN Crawford traffic jam was caused by thousands of demonstrators coming to the 700 population city.
MOVE AMERICA FORWARD sponsored the rally. Here, Howard Kaloogian, founder of Move America Forward, speaksto an enthusiastic crowd of pro-war activists.
THE STREETS of Crawford was filled with pedestrians on Saturday.
AT CAMP CASEY I, Dennis Kyne leads song and dance.
SEVERAL BUS LOADS of visitors arrived at Camp Casey II throughout the day Saturday.
American Indian Movement representatives visit Camp Casey
Dennis Banks, "Commander and Chief" of the American Indian Movement, presented Cindy a cloak on behalf of her fallen warrior son. He then presented Cindy a pin of five gold stars (it looked a lot like the rank ensign of a five star general). Dennis explained that the pin was not only representative of her as a gold star mother, but also of a leader in the struggle against injustice and war. He was also not the first person to mention Cindy and Rosa Parks in the same sentence. Four other members of AIM joined Dennis on stage for ceremonial drum circle.
RUSSELL MEANS (right) gets a hug from singer Joan Baez at Camp Casey II on Saturday.
Russell Means Visits Camp Casey II
Means Says He Understands Power Of Women
By Gene Ellis
ICONOCLAST REPORTER
CAMP CASEY II — Russell Means’ appearance on the stage at Camp Casey II in Crawford yesterday was a surprise to many. For background on this famous Indian (who eschews the government term “Native American”), see brief additional biographical information at the end of this story.
Means, a long-time activist, arrived in Central Texas to support the efforts of Cindy Sheehan and her Iraq war protestors. He well understands the power of women. He spoke, both on stage and in a later interview with the Iconoclast, of the matriarchal society of the American Indian.
Motherhood in America has an inkling of the meaning of this, Means mused, but the Indians live it.
He explained that in a family, the mother is the only member who cannot be replaced. Women live longer than men, can stand more pain, have more endurance, he said. At about this point, Means introduced his wife, Pearl, and received a hug from Joan Baez, who was sitting on the floor of the stage with Cindy Sheehan, listening to Means’ remarks.
Means said that America has a patriarchal society where men rule alone and in fear of the unknown because they are alone. Matriarchy, he pointed out, is not fear-based. In a matriarchal society, each sex is celebrated for its strengths, and there is local control, male/female balance.
During the later interview with the Iconoclast, Means made a point of saying that he is sincere about women taking control of their power, providing a balanced and positive culture. The Blue and Gold Star mothers have an innate understanding of matriarchy, according to Means, even though, as members of a patriarchal society, they have been brainwashed for many years.
In a matriarchal society, all must be responsible.
“If the government of this country imposes so many rules, we feel no responsibility for ourselves, and we become careless,” said Means. To illustrate his point, he used the example of the lack of traffic rules in Italy. Because there are no rules, each person must take it upon his or herself to be responsible, not to be careless, to ensure his or her own safety.
When asked to speak about military recruiters targeting low-income youths, including Indians, Means said that it follows the history of a patriarchal society that the poor kids are to be the common fodder. Even after the Civil War, when Americans wouldn’t join the military, European immigrants were pulled off boats and forced to do two years of subscripted service to obtain citizenship. The poor are always a target for military induction, Means concluded.
Means reiterated that if men rule alone in their citadels of power, they are fearful.
A libertarian, Means paraphrased George Washington, “Government is force, nothing more, nothing less.”
Means added to this his own thoughts, “This government is evil. How can patriots support a president over the Constitution? That is treason. The purpose of the first amendment is to encourage dissent. Without dissent, it is impossible to live free.”
His comments were reminiscent of Margaret Mead’s quote that has graced the back of many a tee shirt in Crawford over the last two weeks. It reads, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
The Los Angeles Times has described Russell Means as the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
Means is a life-long indigenous rights/constitutional rights activist, actor, artist, and author. His best selling autobiography “Where White Men Fear to Tread” is currently on its eighth printing. He has a doctorate in Indian Studies, and is also a practicing attorney on the Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
For more than 30 years, Means has remained active with the American Indian Movement and has traveled and lectured extensively throughout the worldwhile working for over 12 years with the United Nations.
Means became the first national director of The American Indian Movement (AIM). He is known for helping lead his people to stand against the United States government at the Siege of Wounded Knee in 1973.
His vision is for indigenous people to be free — free to be human, free to travel, free to shop, free to trade where they choose, free to choose their own teachers — free to follow the religion of their fathers, free to talk, think and act for themselves, and then, says Means, they will obey every law or submit to the penalty.
About The Siege at Wounded Knee, he wrote, “Our aim at Wounded Knee was to force the U.S. government to live up to its own laws. From that, one can draw the real lesson of our stand there: It is the duty of every responsible American to ensure that their government upholds the spirit and the laws of the United States Constitution. After all, what freedom really means is that you are free to be responsible.”
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