My War Protest: Past 2 Days at Camp Casey Crawford

UPDATES ON CINDY SHEEHAN VISIT TO CRAWFORD
Saturday, August 27, 2005
(Reverse Time Order — More Recent Entries Toward Top)

4:20 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting for the Iconoclast

Joan Baez sang about four times this afternoon, a couple of the songs being Joe Hill, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

Cindy Sheehan spoke at the rally and at a press conference just after that.

Sheehan said that before she came down here, someone told her, "You should go down in a pasture near Bush's ranch and thousands of people would come and you ought to call it Turdstock, so let's call it Turdstock."

She said that one question in her mind when she first arrived in Crawford was, "When will America care?" Now, she says, she knows that America cares.

Sheehan talked about her plans to take her message to the communities, that it is a grassroots 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." She reiterated that the insurgency is fueled by our presence.She says she thinks it will stop if we leave.

The serving of barbecue has not yet started. The arrival of persons to have crosses removed has not happened.

There are still thousands here. Few, if any, are leaving. People keep arriving.

1:30 p.m.
Michael Harvey reporting for the Iconoclast

At Camp Casey I, the Bush side is chanting "George Bush!" and the anti-war side is finishing their sentence by chanting "War criminal!"

The Bush side is loudly calling out, "Where is your anti-semitic leader?"

One pro-war sign says, "Cindy and Osama sitting in a tree." Another says "Who's paying you?"

A bunch of cars are passing by honking, as they have been constantly today.

Now the Bush side is yelling, "I'm for W."

There are close to 200 people out here now (both sides combined).

Music and barbecue is planned on the Camp Casey side this afternoon.

1:17 p.m.
Michael Harvey reporting for the Iconoclast

At Camp Casey I, it is hot, probably 110 degrees. Members on each side of the triangle are yelling at each other, veterans for the war on one side, veterans against the war on the other. They are taunting each other.

The crowd is growing and parking has become a big problem.

At the pro-Bush side of the encampment, a hot-dog stand has been set up.

1:15 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting for the Iconoclast

Joan Baez has returned and just led everyone in singing Amazing Grace at Camp Casey II. When she finished she said, "Christian right, eat your heart out."

She is slated to sing interspersed throughout the rally this afternoon. The barbecue is still to follow, as is the continued rally. Various artists from Austin are slated to perform later.

Another busload of people has come in. Several helicopters are flying about.

12:45 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting for The Iconoclast

There are probably 2,000 people or more in the big tent at Camp Casey II. There is a rally under way on the stage with a man, and now the entire audience, singing God Bless America. Coordinator Ann Wright spoke for a few minutes earlier. A huge luncheon is set out with people lined up. Another busload of people is driving up right now. Parking is pretty much maxed out now.

Ann Wright is currently speaking again. You can smell barbecue cooking. Programs on stage are continuing during the day. Gatorade and water is being passed out among the crowd.

People just keep piling in. It is very hot.

There is going to be a wedding tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Camp Casey II. The bride says she will find and wear the cleanest T-shirt she's got and the money that would be have been spent on the weddingwill go to the Peace House and Cindy Sheehan's group.

11:00 a.m.
Gene Ellis reporting for The Iconoclast

This report is from Camp Casey I. There are about 20 state trooper vehicles out here, not including a number of sheriff's department vehicles.

Right now, there are about 100 individuals on the Camp Casey side of the triangle and about 60-70 on the pro-war side.

On the drive here, there appeared to be about 20 people at the pro-Bush encampment just outside of Crawford.

Law enforcement personnel reported that one arrest has been made at Camp Casey I. A pro-Bush supporter reportedly attempted to harrass a Camp Casey supporter during the night and was eventually asked to leave by law enforcement. Then again this morning, officers say the man returned, becoming obnoxious and mouthing off. After the man mouthed off to an officer, the man was arrested and charged with interferring with the duties of a public servant. The man's name has not been released.

Currently, dancing and musical entertainment is under way at this camp. Dennis Kynd is performing for Camp Casey.

UPDATES ON CINDY SHEEHAN VISIT TO CRAWFORD
Friday, August 26, 2005
(Reverse Time Order — More Recent Entries Toward Top)

6:30 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting for The Iconoclast

On Saturday, the population of Crawford is expected to swell by thousands. At Camp Casey, entertainment on the stage is planned all day. People are being encouraged to come to that location instead of Camp Casey I.

The intense heat and the possibility of clashes between pro-war and anti-war supporters may make Saturday a dangerous day. Caution is being urged and people are instructed to keep their tempers at bay.

4:15 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting for The Iconoclast

Cindy Sheehan held a press conference this morning. She was joined by three Gold Star fathers. Sheehan asked again how many more must die and said that Iraq was not about defending America. She said that people got off the apathy fence. She talked about the bus tour after Camp Casey to begin a three-week engagement.

There are two new RNs in the medic tent today, four medics available for both camps, and a cardiologist who came as a supporter is available.

A native American and Iraq veteran very much against the war was present.

Lunch was served. Ann Wright, coordinator, spoke about the challenges that Sheehan's group will face with the opposition groups or counterprotestors that are expected tomorrow.

The two Camp Caseys and the Peace House are expecting 1,000 to 1,500 supporters tomorrow. Five busloads are expected from Austin, Dallas, and Houston alone. There will be a rally at noon under the big tent at Camp Casey II.

There will be a barbecue later, perhaps at 2 p.m. Wright stressed that "we are a nonviolent group here in a peaceful spirit wanting to speak to our President these last 20 days."

There are some roads that may be closed to the shuttles, but not to other vehicles tomorrow.

There was a peacekeeping workshop that is just finishing. Johnny Wolf spoke, giving tips on how to keep one's cool.

The Rev. Peter Johnson, of the SCLC, who worked with Martin Luther King, instructed peace-keeping volunteers on the subject of non-violence.

It's very, very hot. There are currently about 200 people under the tent.

Editor's Note: Permission is granted to reprint the information and photographs appearing in this feature about Cindy Sheehan's visit to Crawford and activities at The Peace House. Attribution would be appreciated. Recordings, if any, may also be reproduced, with credit. — W. Leon Smith, publisher, The Lone Star Iconoclast

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"HOW MANY MORE MUST DIE?" asked Cindy Sheehan at her Friday morning press conference at Camp Casey II.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis

TINA GARNANEZ of Farmingham, N.M., an Iraq Veteran Against the War, joined Cindy Sheehan's protest movement today.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis

JUAN TORRES (left) of Chicago and Steve DeFord of Salem, Ore. are members of Gold Star Families.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis

DR. JEFF RITTERMAN, cardiologist, and Vivien Feyer, psychologist, both of Richmond, Calif., are assisting the at Camp Casey until Saturday evening.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis