Posted on 11/26/2005 8:27:55 AM PST by NormsRevenge
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - Three months after the mother of a fallen soldier led a 26-day anti-war vigil near President Bush's ranch, peace activists and Bush supporters converged again Saturday for dueling rallies.
Cindy Sheehan, whose 24-year-old Casey died in Iraq, called for anti-war activists to return to Crawford this week as Bush celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. The war opponents' camp is at the same 1-acre private lot that a landowner let them use in August when Sheehan's original campsite became too crowded.
The first demonstration attracted thousands from around the country and made the woman from Berkeley, Calif., a national figure.
"Nobody knew what was going to happen, and we made up Camp Casey as we went along, and it grew and grew and grew," said Sheehan. "But we're here to say that the killing has to stop, that we're not going to justify any more killing on our losses. And we're not going away."
Meanwhile, father Gary Qualls, who lost his Marine son Louis in Iraq last year, was among hundreds of Bush supporters who wanted to counter anti-war demonstrators with their own demonstration. Qualls, who also led a pro-Bush rally in August, said the anti-war demonstration is disrespectful to soldiers and hurtful to troop morale.
"Our sons and daughters have given the ultimate sacrifice, and they deserve nothing less than pure honor and pure respect," Qualls said.
On Friday, activists unveiled a stone monument bearing the words "Sheehan's Stand." The names of two dozen soldiers whose families were part of the vigil are engraved on the back. The monument stands at the Crawford Peace House, which opened downtown a month after the war began in March 2003.
A supporter of U.S. President George W. Bush attends a rally in Crawford, Texas November 26, 2005. The poster shows an image of Bush and anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who continues to protest near Bush's ranch over his stance on troops still in Iraq. REUTERS/Jim Young
Supporters of U.S. President George W. Bush drive through town in their pick-up truck in Crawford, Texas, November 26, 2005. The supporters are also criticizing anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who continues to protest near Bush's ranch over his stance on troops still in Iraq. REUTERS/Jim Young
Wow, have you seen the picure at #21 ??? Your work's on display in Crawford, LOL!
It's got to be a FREEPER, don't you think? Who else would use your wonderful picture?
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