Continue While Peaceful Warrior Is Away

War Protests Continue Near Bush's Ranch

By Angela K. Brown / Associated Press

CRAWFORD, Texas - Dozens of war protesters camping near President Bush's ranch held a prayer service and other activities as planned Friday, a day after their leader had to go home to California to be with her mother in the hospital.

Cindy Sheehan, who started the camp Aug. 6 to protest her son's death in Iraq, flew to Los Angeles after learning that her 74-year-old mother had a stroke. She hopes to return to Texas soon.

The other grieving families and peace activists vowed to keep camping out for the chance to question the president about the war.

"Cindy put a face on this movement, but the rest of us are all in that movement as well," said Pat Vogel of Barrington, Ill. "Many people have turned this whole camp into a well-oiled machine."

Sheehan's mother was in the intensive care unit but could be moved to a room after doctors meet Friday, said Michael Khoo, a Sheehan spokesman at the Crawford camp. He said Sheehan's mother was "stabilized."

The camp has grown and become more organized since Sheehan arrived, now with more than a dozen tents and canopies stretching along 8-foot-wide shoulders of two roads that intersect with the main road leading to Bush's ranch.

Bush, who has said he sympathizes with Sheehan, is to return to Washington on Sept. 3. A White House spokeswoman said he did not plan to change his schedule and meet with her.

CINDY SHEEHAN LEAVES, OTHERS STAY ON TO KEEP PRESSURE ON BUSH FOR MEETING

Mother’s Illness Won’t Change the Agenda at Camp Casey; Prayer Vigil Tomorrow Will Take Place at 12 Noon CDT Friday

Meet With Cindy

Statement by Cindy Sheehan:

This afternoon around 4 p.m. Crawford time my sister DeeDee received a call that our mother has had a stroke and is in the emergency room at a hospital in Los Angeles.

As you can imagine, this is a devastating blow for my sister, my brother, my children and me.

I’m leaving Crawford temporarily to go be with my mother. While I am gone, the other mothers of fallen soldiers in Iraq, along with the Iraq war veterans and other soldiers will remain at Camp Casey and keep up the pressure on the President to meet with us and answer questions about the war.

Statement by Patricia Vogel of Military Families Speak Out

(Patricia Vogel’s son, Aaron, has served in Iraq and may be re-deployed)

We needed Cindy to start this movement and now Cindy needs us to keep it going. We are staying in Crawford until we get answers, or until the President completes his five-week vacation.

Dozens of religious leaders, military mothers, and supporters of Cindy Sheehan’s message will gather at Camp Casey to observe a moment of silence Friday at 12:00pm CT.

Religious leaders will be on hand to lead the observance and offer prayer and a moment of silence for the military serving around the world, those who have given their lives in combat, and their loved ones. They will also echo Cindy Sheehan’s calls, asking the President to meet with military families who seek his ear, and to withdraw our troops from Iraq.

Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace, and the religious leaders, have invited President Bush to attend the prayer meeting.