Posted on 11/23/2005 6:40:57 AM PST by NormsRevenge
CRAWFORD, Texas - More than a dozen war protesters returned to a roadside near President Bush's ranch before dawn Wednesday, defying two new local bans on roadside camping and parking.
About an hour after the group pitched tents and huddled in sleeping bags and blankets, a McLennan County sheriff's deputy arrived and warned the group to leave or face arrest.
Protester and former U.S. diplomat Ann Wright told the deputy that most of the group would stay because they believed the bans restrict their free-speech rights. The deputy said the group would have two more warnings before he started making arrests.
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan wasn't among the protesters Wednesday because of a family emergency in California, but she planned to arrive at the camp later in the week. The protest was set to coincide with Bush's Thanksgiving ranch visit.
"We are proud to be here," Dede Miller, Sheehan's sister, said Wednesday as she huddled in a blanket at the campsite. "This is just so important. What we did in August really moved us forward, and this is just a continuation of it."
In August, hundreds of demonstrators camped off the road during a 26-day protest led by Cindy Sheehan, whose 24-year-old soldier son Casey was killed in Iraq last year. But a month later, county commissioners banned camping in any county ditch and parking within a 7-mile radius of the ranch, citing safety and traffic congestion issues.
Earlier this week, three demonstrators filed a federal lawsuit against McLennan County over the two local bans.
But the demonstrators said their protest would continue, even if they were arrested. The peace activists have set up camp at a private 1-acre lot that a sympathetic landowner let them use the last several weeks of their summer protest. The land is about a mile from Bush's ranch.
A no parking sign is shown in front of the camp of anti-war protestors Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005, in Crawford, Texas. Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan, who's son died in Iraq, drew thousands to her 26-day war protest near President Bush's Crawford ranch this summer and plans to return for Thanksgiving this week. The camp is on the same 1-acre lot that a sympathetic landowner let the group use this summer. McLennan County commissioners created and approved new ordinances, which prohibit parking on parts of 14 roads near President Bush's ranch. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
More than a dozen show'd up... wow..
This sounds like the Million Mom March protests at the end of their run. At the end, they had a protest in southern California and couldn't get 50 people to show up. Bunch of losers.
The locals should start their winter crop dusting (if you get my drift).
I wonder if a local construction company could exercise its right to free speech by erecting temporary fencing around the moonbat encampment?
The AP really considers this national news?
So have they been arrested and jailed yet? Free Speech does NOT allow you to do what ever you want, where ever you want, when ever you want. Sorry but if they showed up without the land owners permission, jail them.
Bite yor tongue,John, they have every right to spend their Thanksgiving the way they want to.
Where oh where would they be if the terrorist decided to...............?????
Not showing up for a "Free speech" arrest at your own protest, is bad form Cindy.
1 dozen = 12
More than a dozen protesters show up (probably thirteen) and this makes AP headlines. No media bias --- none at all.
Sheehan then was divorced from her second husband (he filed irreconcilable differences) leaving four other children. Being an activist beats raising children......
Bingo.
Now her sister is going to step in and try for HER 15 minutes of fame.
These kind of people remind me of the men-hating women libbers of the N.O.W. and PETA losers.
It's all SELF-hate aimed at mommy and daddy and transferred to people who represent authority, their own race, religion, culture, that is, themselves.
They are, inside, angry, pimply, unattractive, unloved, rebellous teenagers who are so stunted in their emotional maturity, growth and stability that EVEN Peter Pan wouldn't want them in Never-Never Land.
Wonder what the deal is with Sheehan's 'family emergencies' all the time? Seems her sister is not too worried and is in Crawford. Good grief.
Can't we sort of get them confused with illegal migrant workers, round them up and airlift them back to Mexico?
It also beats being with her man, her husband, perhaps ANY man.
Whaddayabet that in a short while she comes "out" and starts living with a woman "partner"?
Her bio has all the earmarks.....
Cindy's Drama Club keeps getting smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller!
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