Today, Fixing Crosses

UPDATES ON CINDY SHEEHAN VISIT TO CRAWFORD
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005
(Reverse Time Order — More Recent Entries Toward Top)

UPDATES ON CINDY SHEEHAN VISIT TO CRAWFORD
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005
(Reverse Time Order — More Recent Entries Toward Top)

Camp Casey coordinator Ann Wright has issued an appeal. The van that has been used recently to accomodate media interviews is being called out of service and there is now an immediate need for a replacement. Anyone interested in loaning or providing such a van for use by Sheehan should call Wright at 808-741-1141. She explained that this need is somewhat urgent.

6:45 p.m. PRESS CONFERENCE
Deborah Mathews reporting for The Iconoclast

Cindy Sheehan held a press conference a few minutes ago. Here is what she said:

"A kind gentleman from down the road offered us the use of his property. It's right by the barricade. He offered it because he heard about the shots fired. He didn't think that was right. He happens to be the third cousin of the person that fired the shots and so he came down and he said he supports us 100 percent. He offered us his land. We are in the middle of making that happen. We will be moving within the next few days and we are not being forced to move.

"You can ask the sheriff's department. We are cooperating fully with them and they are cooperating fully with us. This is going to be a better place. We can spread out. We don't have to lay in the ditch. We don'thave to stay in a ditch. And we'll have plenty of room for parking and everything like that.

"We're going to be moving in the next few days. We just wanted to let you guys know."

When asked if it will be safer, she said, "A lot safer, yeah."

"We won't be blocking any roads. There won't be as much traffic. We're going to leave Arlington Crawford over here and leave a few people here to watch it and to tell everybody where we've moved to."

When asked about anything the camp will need at the new location, Sheehan said, "We're going to need tarps... you know, covering, because there's not as much shade over in that place."

At the conclusion of the press conferencel, Cindy Sheehan received a private phone call and walked across Camp Casey to be alone. Someone from the counter-protest area immediately came close to where she was and held a cross high in the air.

AS CINDY STEPPED away from the press conference announcing relocation of the camp, she left the conference area to take a private phone call. Immediately, a counter-protestor approached and raised a cross in front of her face, yet remained on his side of the road.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

RED ROSES ADORNED many of the crosses at Arlington Crawford.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

STRANGERS from all over the nation arrive at Camp Casey and offer support to Cindy. Many introduce themselves with simply a first name, a hug, and flowers.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

CINDY SHEEHAN held a brief press conference today to announce relocation of Camp Casey to an area of private land offered by a local landowner.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

THE YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE come to Camp Casey in support of Cindy.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

CAMP CASEY HAS GROWN from a few small tents to hundreds of supporters.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

5:25 p.m.

A McLennan County resident, Larry Northern, 59, has been charged with Criminal Mischief Over $1,500 and under $20,000.

. Northern has posted bond and has been released. Bail had been set at $3,000, according to authorities.

Yesterday, a pickup truck, with a chain and bar attached, ran through a row of white crosses at Camp Casey, according to eyewitnesses.

The crosses had been erected as memorials to soldiers who had died in Iraq by volunteers who have been camped in the area awaiting a meeting of Cindy Sheehan and President Bush.

Sheehan, who arrived in Crawford on Aug. 6, has been demanding a meeting with President Bush to inquire about the death of her son, Casey, a 1st Cavalry Division soldierwho was killed last year in Iraq.

In a prepared statement, Sheehan said after the mowing down of several hundred of the crosses, "Our hearts are broken about this."

Today, volunteers have been attempting to repair as many of the crosses as possible.

Discussion continues regarding moving the camp to another location. A press conference has been scheduled for 6 p.m. to address this issue.

Thirty-five dozen red roses were delivered to Sheehan from Florida in response to the destruction of the crosses.

DOZENS OF ROSES arrived early Tuesday morning to ease the sting of the previous evening's vandalism.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis

CINDY SHEEHAN speaks with some visitors to Camp Casey. She gave several interviews today with people who have come a long way to visit.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis

3:20 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting from Camp Casey

It has now been confirmed. Camp Casey will be moved tomorrow. During an interview with this reporter, Cindy Sheehan indicated that a landowner has agreed to allow Camp Casey to move onto his property, which will put the camp closer to the Bush ranch. More on this as it develops.

1:50 p.m.
Gene Ellis reporting from Camp Casey

It's hot, with about a 50 people out here. They have been re-establishing the crosses that were damaged yesterday.

CINDY SHEEHAN introduced speakers at a press conference this morning. She said referring to disruptions to the camp that members of her group are not going to lower themselves to violence.
— Iconoclast Photo By Michael Harvey

CAMP CASEY personnel worked during the day repairing crosses that were run over by a truck late yesterday.
— Iconoclast Photo By Michael Harvey

VOLUNTEERS attempt to repair as many of the crosses possible.
— Iconoclast Photo By Michael Harvey

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY, Hart Viges (Army veteran, left) and Charlie Anderson (Navy veteran, right) of Iraq Veterans Against The War, explained their opinions regarding why the war should be ended.
— Iconoclast Photo By Michael Harvey

CAMP CASEY coordinator Ann Wright (left) speaks with landowners following a session of the McLennan County Commissioners' Court. A group of Crawford-area residents asked the commissioners to provide answers related to the camp's being located in an area that they described as dangerous for their children.
— Iconoclast Photo By Deborah Mathews

10:50 a.m.
Michael Harvey reporting from Camp Casey

A couple of guys from Iraq Veterans Against the War talked to the group about how the damage to the crosses desecrated the memory of the soldiers who have died in Iraq.

10:38 a.m.
Michael Harvey reporting from Camp Casey

More on the truck running over the crosses: According to sources out here, the man suspected of running over the crosses with a truck hails from McLennan County and is 55 years old. He was apparently apprehended after he got a flat tire. One of the crosses was apparently stuck in a tire.

According to Dianne Wilson, a local landowner has offered one acre on one side of the road and 180 acres on the other side of the road for use by Camp Casey. Although the exact location has yet to be announced, it is apparently closer to the Bush ranch than the current location of Camp Casey. It is being speculated that Camp Casey will be moved soon.

The press conference is about to begin.

10:20 a.m.
Michael Harvey reporting from Camp Casey

Cindy Sheehan is preparing for a 10:30 press conference.

Volunteers have been attempting to repair and replace some of the crosses that were run over by a truck last night. A suspect was apprehended and arrested, but the name is currently being withheld. More on this shortly.

9:45 a.m.
Deborah Mathews reporting at the courthouse in Waco.

The Commissioners' Court just went into budget talks.

Prior to this, several Crawford-area residents addressed the Commissioners' Court.

Some of the comments were:

"We don't know everyone that's out there, what type of people they are, and we don't think they do either."

"Unsafe situation getting in and out of there. I have serious concerns for the safety of my children. No one can ensure our safety."

"I am resentful of my daughter walking outside and having microphones shoved in her face. She was smart enough not to speak. "

"I don't live there yet. My house is under construction. If we let this continue it's just going to get worse and worse. What happens the next time? We don't know the laws, either. When my child waits for the bus after we move, I want to know they're safe."

"We have civil rights, too, and they're being seriously compromised at this time."

In the hallway, following the hearing, some were saying:

"We don't know who to trust. We moved to the country for peace and quiet. It's only a matter of time till someone gets hurt. Who are they getting their point across to now?

"We're just asking to relocate it. We're sacrificing the safety of our children. Theirs is an important issue, but they need to move. We are a strong, German family community. We'll weather this. We're not saying stop; we're saying move."

One of the camp coordinators, Ann Wright, in speaking to the court, said that the campers are trying as hard as they can to respect those around them, following guidelines that have been set out, and want this to continue peacefully.

As this was an amended agenda for a budget meeting, no action can be taken regarding the petitioners.

Commissioner Ray Meadows said, "I will be out there again today when the buses run. I will take care of the road just like any other road I would. What we're dealing with is a liability and a safety issue."

"There's a lot of property for sale there; buy a piece of property," he said when asked about a solution.

"We want to get through this. I want to be able to work with both sides. I feel sure this happens anywhere with any President's hometown. I've been out three times already. I'll be out there again today," Meadows added.

REP. WATERS VISITS CAMPSITE

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California visited with Cindy Sheehan on Sunday, bringing a fruit basket and water for all.

She presented Sheehan with a bouquet of flowers.

Waters spoke with the MFSO group and the veterans present, then gave a brief question and answer opportunity.

Congressman Maxine Waters visits with Cindy Sheehan.
— Photo Courtesy Perry Jefferies, 1SG, USA (retired)