Comprehensive information and links about Cindy Sheehan

Cindy Sheehan "Cindy Sheehan speaks at a protest outside of Fort Bragg, North Carolina on March 19, 2005. (Photo: Jeff Patterson)" Cindy Sheehan speaks at a protest outside of Fort Bragg, North Carolina on March 19, 2005. (Photo: Jeff Patterson) (born July 10, 1957 in Bellflower, California) became a prominent American anti-Iraq War activist after the death of her son who was serving in Iraq. She attracted international attention in August 2005 for her extended demonstration at a peace camp outside President George W. Bush's Texas ranch. She is sometimes referred to by the media as the "

Cindy Sheehan is the mother of Specialist Casey Sheehan, who served in the U.S. Army. In May 2000 Sheehan enlisted, hoping to become a chaplain's assistant. The Army trained him as a mechanic instead. Near the end of his first tour of duty with the First Cavalry Division, the 2003 invasion of Iraq began. Sheehan re-enlisted, knowing that his unit would be sent to Iraq. On March 19, 2004 Sheehan's company, Charlie Battery, arrived at FOB War Eagle in Sadr City as part of the post-invasion Iraq occupation. A few weeks later, on April 4, 2004 Sheehan was killed in action, along with several other soldiers, after volunteering as part of a Quick Reaction Force to rescue American troops. [2] [3] Sheehan was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart [4].

Sheehan's campaign against the Iraq war

Although Sheehan had "always been a Democrat," [5] and had initially questioned the urgency of the invasion of Iraq, she did not become active in the anti-war effort until after her son's death [6].

Sheehan and other military families met with President George W. Bush in June 2004 at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, Washington, nearly three months after her son's death. In a June 24, 2004 interview with the Vacaville published soon after the meeting, she stated, "We haven't been happy with the way the war has been handled. The president has changed his reasons for being over there every time a reason is proven false or an objective reached." It should be noted that she also stated that President Bush was "...sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis...I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith." [7] On July 4, 2005 she was again interviewed by a local paper in Fort Lewis, Washington, regarding her meeting with President Bush, this time describing it as "one of the most disgusting experiences I ever had and it took me almost a year to even talk about it." She described President Bush as being "detached from humanity" and said that "his mouth kept moving, but there was nothing in his eyes or anything else about him that showed me he really cared or had any real compassion at all." She continued, "He didn’t even know our names," asking "Who we'all honorin' here today?" when he first entered the room, and then referring to her as "Ma" or "Mom". [8]

Sheehan gave another interview on October 4, 2004 stating that she did not understand the reasons for the Iraq invasion and never thought that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States. She further stated that her son's death had compelled her to speak out against what she feels to be an unjust war, in order to help to bring the troops home and hold politicians accountable. [9]

"Friends and family of Cindy Sheehan hold a photo of Casey Sheehan at an anti-war demonstration in Arlington, Virginia on October 2, 2004." Friends and family of Cindy Sheehan hold a photo of Casey Sheehan at an anti-war demonstration in Arlington, Virginia on October 2, 2004.

During the Presidential Inauguration in January, 2005, Cindy traveled to Washington D.C. to speak at the opening of Eyes Wide Open: the Human Cost of War, a traveling exhibition created by the American Friends Service Committee that displays pairs of combat boots to represent every U.S. military casualty. There she met other families who lost loved ones in Iraq, and together they discussed the need to create an organization for similar families. Cindy wrote about the experience in a commentary article [10]. She was also a featured speaker when the exhibition opened in San Diego in March, 2005 [11] and traveled with the exhibition other locations. "Behind these boots is one broken-hearted family," she stated as she donated her son Casey's boots to travel with Eyes Wide Open when it stopped in San Francisco later that month [12].

Sheehan is one of the nine founding members of Gold Star Families for Peace, an organization founded in January 2005 that seeks to end the occupation of Iraq and provide support for families of fallen soldiers. As of August 2005, at least 63 other relatives of fallen soldiers are listed as members.

Although she had spoken publicly against the Iraq war and occupation since 2004, Sheehan gained national attention in early August 2005 when she traveled to President Bush's Prairie Chapel Ranch just outside Crawford, Texas, during his five-week vacation retreat there. Demanding a second meeting with the President and an explanation of the "noble cause" for which her son died [13] [14], she created a peace camp called Camp Casey by pitching a tent by the side of the road and announced her intention to stay, day and night, for the full five weeks, or until such a meeting is granted. She has also promised that, if she is not granted a second meeting, she will return to Crawford each time Bush visits there in the future [15]. Toward the end of her vigil, she said she was "very, very, very grateful" Bush did not grant her that meeting because it would have ended the momentum the peace movement gained from the popularity of her vigil [16].

Sheehan's actions have led supporters such as Rev. Lennox Yearwood, CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, to describe her as "the Rosa Parks of the antiwar movement." [17] Later during the demonstration, Sheehan also gained the label of "Peace Mom" from the mainstream media [18] [19] [20] [21]. Some critics have likened her dissent to an act of treason [22] [23].

Just noticed that the following was edited out of an earlier version of this reference for Cindy Sheehan:

In her anti-war speeches and writings, Sheehan is blunt and often vitriolic, a characteristic that has been noted by observers on both the left and right, and which Sheehan herself does not deny [24]. Some of her statements have caused controversy.

Of greatest controversy is an incident about which Sheehan's detractors claim she has lied. In March, 2005, James Morris sent an e-mail, written by Sheehan, to ABC's Nightline [25] that allegedly included the statements that Casey "was killed for lies and for a PNAC[26] Neo-Con agenda to benefit Israel" and that he had "joined the Army to protect America, not Israel." Sheehan denies the allegations, "I've never said that... Those aren't even words that I would say. I do believe that the Palestinian issue [27] is a hot issue that needs to be solved, and it needs to be more fair and equitable, but I never said my son died for Israel," and claims that the email was modified by James Morris to support his own personal agenda. However, James Morris denies altering the email before sending it along to Nightline [28]on Sheehan's behalf (per her request for him to do so). Two other individuals, Tony Tersch and Skeeter Gallagher, received a copy of Sheehan's email directly from her; both claim that the e-mail they received is consistent with Morris's story, rather than Sheehan's. Tersch posted the email[29]he received to the "bullyard" Google group [30].

Opponents of Sheehan assert that this essentially proves that she has repeatedly lied about the content of her original e-mail [31].

The White House

On August 6, 2005, Sheehan met with two high-level Bush administration officials, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Joe Hagin. According to also reported that Ms. Sheehan told the two officials she appreciated their meeting with her.

President George W. Bush did speak to reporters at his ranch, saying:

dl"I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan. She feels strongly about her position, and she has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America. She has a right to her position, and I thought long and hard about her position. I've heard her position from others, which is: 'Get out of Iraq now.' And it would be a mistake for the security of this country and the ability to lay the foundations for peace in the long run if we were to do so." [32]

Prior to going on a bicycle ride on his Texas ranch on August 13, 2005 Bush gave journalists and aides a defense of his not meeting with Sheehan stating, as reported by Ken Herman of Cox Enterprises

dl"I think it's important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say. But I think it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life. I think the people want the president to be in a position to make good, crisp decisions and to stay healthy. And part of my being is to be outside exercising. So I'm mindful of what goes on around me. On the other hand, I'm also mindful that I've got a life to live and will do so."[33]

U.S. Congress

At least sixteen Democratic members of Congress signed a letter on August 9, 2005, asking that Bush meet with Sheehan and the other relatives of fallen soldiers, as well as calling on Bush to ensure that no one will be arrested for having a peaceful demonstration. [34]

On 6 August, 2005, Sheehan created a makeshift camp in a ditch by the side of the road about 3 miles from George W. Bush's Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas and announced her intention to stay (sleeping in a pup tent at night) until she is granted a second face-to-face meeting with the President.[35] Sheehan started her protest the day the President started a planned five-week vacation. A few days later, the media began referring to Sheehan's camp as "Camp Casey."[36]

She spent the next four weeks in Crawford (except for 5 days spent in California to see her elderly mother, who had suffered a stroke[37]). On some days as many as 1500 supporters visited Camp Casey[38], including members of Congress, as well as several notable actors, singers, and civil rights activists.

Gold Star Families for Peace, of which Sheehan is a founding member, released a TV commercial featuring Sheehan, broadcast on Crawford and Waco cable channels near Bush's ranch.[39] The group conducted a walk to a police station just outside President Bush's Crawford ranch and delivered a bundle of oversized letters written by them to First Lady Laura Bush, appealing to her as a mother for support towards their movement.[40]

On 16 August, Sheehan moved her camp closer to the Bush ranch after being offered the use of a piece of land owned by a supporter, Fred Mattlage, who also happens to be a third cousin of Larry Mattlage, a rancher who had fired a shotgun on his property near the demonstration site several days earlier.[41][42]

In late August, Sheehan stated that she would continue her campaign against the Iraq war even if granted a second meeting with the President. She also announced the Bring Them Home Now Tour, to depart on September 1 and arrive in Washington, D.C., on September 24 for three days of demonstrations.

Hurricane Katrina, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in southeastern Louisiana on 29 August. The following day, President Bush ended his five-week vacation early to focus on relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

In September, the Bring Them Home Now Tour was organized by Gold Star Families for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and Veterans For Peace. It was a rolling anti-war protest against the Iraq War, beginning in Crawford, Texas, travelling three routes across the country (with rallies along the way) and culminating in a rally in Washington, DC in September 2005. It was inspired by and featured Cindy Sheehan as a speaker at many rallies.

Sheehan's activism continued into the winter of 20052006. She met with Senator John McCain (a Vietnam veteran) and, after considering the meeting a disappointment, called him a warmonger.[43] She later protested Hillary Clinton's stance on the war, stating that Clinton must either speak out against the war or risk losing her job, [44][45] and urged Governor Janet Napolitano to withdraw the Arizona National Guard from Iraq at a rally in Phoenix.[46][47] After a short trip back home to California, Sheehan said on October 24 during a media interview[48]that she planned to speak at the White House and then tie herself to the fence, promsing to return to the fence as soon as possible if arrested.

Around Thanksgiving, Sheehan returned to Texas to protest Bush's vacation without bringing the soldiers home. Bush planned to stay in Crawford through November 28, 2005.[49] In early December, Sheehan traveled to Chicago to attend the annual People's Weekly World banquet. The theme of the banquet was “Make 2006 a turning point year in the fight for peace and justice." The PWW is the newspaper of the Communist Party USA. [50]

Europe and South America

Sheehan went to London, England in early December. She was interviewed by BBC Radio[51] and by The Guardian [52]. On December 10, Sheehan addressed the International Peace Conference, organized by the Stop the War Coalition and held at The Royal Horticultural Halls. Sheehan was received enthusiastically in Britain, where she was celebrated as an American heroine of the anti-war movement. Later in the evening, she attended a play written by Dario Fo (Literature Nobel laureate) about her [53], in which the role of Sheehan was played by Frances de la Tour. On December 13, Sheehan traveled to Ireland, where she met Irish Foreign Affairs minister Dermot Ahern. She voiced her objection to U.S. aircraft refueling at Shannon Airport, stating, "Your Government, even though they didn't send troops to Iraq, are complicit in the crimes by allowing the planes to land and refuel..."[54]

On January 24, 2006, Sheehan took a trip to Venezuela, sponsored by that nation's foreign ministry. Joining more than 10,000 anti-globalization activists in Venezuela for the Caracas World Social Forum with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, [55] she stated "I admire President Chavez for his strength to resist the United States" while saying she agreed with Harry Belafonte's statement that President Bush is "the greatest terrorist in the world." Also, while in Venezuela, Sheehan released a statement that unless Senator Dianne Feinstein voted to fillibuster the confirmation of Samuel Alito, she would challenge Feinstein for her Senate seat. Later that day, Feinstein announced that she would support the filibuster against Alito, but it is not clear if this announcement was prompted by Sheehan's statement [56].

State of the Union speech

Sheehan was back in Washington, D.C. in time for the State of the Union address, first participating in a public forum at the Bus Boys and Poets Bookstore, where she was one of a six person panel [57]. On the day of the speech, Sheehan participates in the "People's State of the Union" press conference, where she tells reporters that she is still considering challenging Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in the June 2006 Democratic primary.

Two hours prior to the State of the Union address by George W. Bush, Sheehan reluctantly accepted an invitation by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) to attend the event.[58] After being seated about fifteen minutes prior to the speech, Sheehan removed her jacket, uncovering the t-shirt she had worn to the earlier "People's State of the Union" press conference, bearing the message "2,245 dead. How many more?" Officer Mike Weight removed her from the gallery and handcuffed her before Bush arrived. Sheehan stated that she had not been asked to cover her shirt prior to her arrest; a Capitol Police spokeswoman stated that Sheehan was warned first, but that she did not respond. [59] Sheehan was charged with unlawful conduct, a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail andor a $500 fine — D.C. Code § 10-503.16(b)(7), implemented by Capitol Grounds Regulations Article XIX §158(a) which allow, "wearing Tee shirts, buttons, or other similar articles of apparel that convey a message." [60] Sheehan was released on her own recognizance after four hours in jail.[61] Beverly Young, the wife of Rep. Bill Young (R-FL), was ordered to leave the gallery during Bush's speech because she was wearing a shirt with the words "Support the Troops Defending Our Freedom." [62] After complying with the officer's request to leave the gallery, Young said she argued loudly with officers and called one of them "an idiot." Unlike Sheehan, Young was not arrested, leaving on her own accord. [63] Charges were later dropped and an apology was issued.

The Ballad Of Camp Casey Hairy Larry sings his song, "The Ballad Of Camp Casey," dedicated to Cindy Sheehan, her son Casey, and all who have suffered loss in Iraq. Creative Commons by-sa license.Cindy Sheehan's Pitched Battle - In a Tent Near Bush's Ranch, Antiwar Mother of Dead Soldier Gains Visibility Michael A. Fletcher, The Turning Tide: From Cindy Sheehan's Encampment In Crawford To The Woolsey Hearing In Congress Michael Butler 2006: The Year the Chickenhawks Will Go Home to Roost, December 28, 2005. Sheehan also files many other articles at CommonDreams.Huffington Post articles: Cindy Sheehan Steps Into the Leadership Void, It Takes a Village to Smear Cindy Sheehan, The War Comes to Crawford, President Disconnects, Why Are the Media Having Such a Hard Time Covering Cindy Sheehan?Commentary: Try as she might, Cindy Sheehan won't be able to sink Bush on Iraq Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Protest the War If You Must, But Not at 'Camp Casey' Mark Davis, Dallas Morning News, August 17, 2005