Cindy Sheehan Vigil on the Lake Street Bridge Photo Gallery by n at pbase.com

Cindy Sheehan Vigil on the Lake Street Bridge

Update: September 03, 2005. The Cindy Sheehan Bus tour came to St Paul today. I have posted photos from this event at the end of this gallery. They begin with the slide with the red Camp-Casey banner on the steps of the capitol (in St Paul).

Lake ST Vigil (August 17, 2005): Roughly 1000 persons turned out to show support for Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a young man killed in Iraq. Cindy Sheehan has asked GW Bush to explain the noble cause ( http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/081805I.shtml) for which her son died. The Lake Street Bridge, which crosses the Mississippi River, is also a Peace bridge. There were several other vigils in the Twin Cities area in addition to this one.

The ordinary citizens and family members of soldiers in these photos are not anti-American or anti-military, as some critics suggest. "Suggesting that protesters have insufficient concern for American troops was an easy charge to level against draft-dodging youth, and it probably is to be expected as congressional campaign season gets underway. But it does not ring true when aimed at parents who raised children so patriotic that they volunteered for military service.

Such parents understand what support for those sons and daughters requires. They know that it does not require blind loyalty to bad policy." Star Tribune

Click here to read quotes by leading hypocrites: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/17/144732/740

No helicopters to fix the levees in New Orleans -- they are in Iraq.
Not enough national guard to protect the homeland.
No money for the levees in New Orleans -- Bush cut the budget and left the levees unfinished.
READ THE STORY HERE: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/31/205843/351

Instead, resources were sent to Iraq -- for the oil. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/31/142248/655

My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years," he says, "to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub." Grover Norquist: 'Field Marshal' of the Bush Plan. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010514/dreyfuss
Budget was cut despite cries for help: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/4/233718/2082

We Support Cindy and Lantern.jpg	Heroes Remembered	Answer Our Questions	Bring It On Bush
Children with Candles (and dirty hands)	Photo of her son, a soldier	Complacent equals Complicit	Two in Red Shirts with Candles
Crowd at night.jpg	For Good Luck Rub My Tummy	Group on Bridge	America Supports Cindy.jpg
Honk to Bring Troops Home.jpg	I miss my sister	No Body Armor - sitting ducks	Remember Vietnam Protest Movement.jpg
Sitting on Hillside - long exposure shot	Stop the War.jpg	Mother of Dead Soldier Deserves Meeting	Closeup of Candle.jpg
Hold Bush Accountable	Thumbs Down -- the only person in Minneapolis who disagrees with the protest	Support our Troops and the Stars and Stripes	If Wellstone were still a senator
Sister of Soldier in Iraq	Soldier Wheel of Fortune	First 1000 faces.jpg	Standing in front of the fallen.jpg
Honor our dead demand the truth	Cindy standing down a tank	Mighty Oak -- Yesterdays Nut that Refused to Budge with DailyKos t shirt	Hurricane Katrina Hat
One of the McDonald Sisters	Boots of fallen soldier	Boots of fallen Soldier with Daisy	Drumming for victims of Katrina in the Peace Garden

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Waqas Usman		26-Nov-2005 00:40
Thank you for pointing out the correct numbers, media in Islamic countries gives figures of 100,000+ but I wasn't sure if the West is ready to agree with that yet. At some other website someone pointed to the iraqbodycount website and said that it gave conservative numbers (so I thought at least that many should be recognized). Thank you for pointing me to the Les Roberts' presentation, and thank you for all your efforts for peace.

n		26-Nov-2005 00:09
27,000 civilian deaths in Iraq? That is a minimum number. According to Les Roberts, the author of a formal study published in the Lancet, the number before the last US presidential election and before the siege of Fallujah, was 100,000 or higher (and this estimate EXCLUDED a sample from Fallujah). listen to a presentaton by Les Roberts: http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/warsmilitaryveteransdraft/index.html

Waqas Usman		25-Nov-2005 22:10
I wish the relatives of the 27,000+ Iraqis http://www.iraqbodycount.org/) also had the power to question Bush about the "Noble Cause".

n		03-Sep-2005 02:25
This NY Times editorial suggests that the Iraq war and the human crisis in New Orleans are indeed related...... and both represent bad policy decisions from our elected leaders, both democrat and republican. ******************************************************************** A Can't-Do Government By PAUL KRUGMAN Published: September 2, 2005 Before 9/11 the Federal Emergency Management Agency listed the three most likely catastrophic disasters facing America: a terrorist attack on New York, a major earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane strike on New Orleans. "The New Orleans hurricane scenario," The Houston Chronicle wrote in December 2001, "may be the deadliest of all." It described a potential catastrophe very much like the one now happening. So why were New Orleans and the nation so unprepared? After 9/11, hard questions were deferred in the name of national unity, then buried under a thick coat of whitewash. This time, we need accountability. First question: Why have aid and security taken so long to arrive? Katrina hit five days ago - and it was already clear by last Friday that Katrina could do immense damage along the Gulf Coast. Yet the response you'd expect from an advanced country never happened. Thousands of Americans are dead or dying, not because they refused to evacuate, but because they were too poor or too sick to get out without help - and help wasn't provided. Many have yet to receive any help at all. There will and should be many questions about the response of state and local governments; in particular, couldn't they have done more to help the poor and sick escape? But the evidence points, above all, to a stunning lack of both preparation and urgency in the federal government's response. Even military resources in the right place weren't ordered into action. "On Wednesday," said an editorial in The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., "reporters listening to horrific stories of death and survival at the Biloxi Junior High School shelter looked north across Irish Hill Road and saw Air Force personnel playing basketball and performing calisthenics. Playing basketball and performing calisthenics!" Maybe administration officials believed that the local National Guard could keep order and deliver relief. But many members of the National Guard and much of its equipment - including high-water vehicles - are in Iraq. "The National Guard needs that equipment back home to support the homeland security mission," a Louisiana Guard officer told reporters several weeks ago. Second question: Why wasn't more preventive action taken? After 2003 the Army Corps of Engineers sharply slowed its flood-control work, including work on sinking levees. "The corps," an Editor and Publisher article says, citing a series of articles in The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, "never tried to hide the fact that the spending pressures of the war in Iraq, as well as homeland security - coming at the same time as federal tax cuts - was the reason for the strain." In 2002 the corps' chief resigned, reportedly under threat of being fired, after he criticized the administration's proposed cuts in the corps' budget, including flood-control spending. Third question: Did the Bush administration destroy FEMA's effectiveness? The administration has, by all accounts, treated the emergency management agency like an unwanted stepchild, leading to a mass exodus of experienced professionals. Last year James Lee Witt, who won bipartisan praise for his leadership of the agency during the Clinton years, said at a Congressional hearing: "I am extremely concerned that the ability of our nation to prepare for and respond to disasters has been sharply eroded. I hear from emergency managers, local and state leaders, and first responders nearly every day that the FEMA they knew and worked well with has now disappeared." I don't think this is a simple tale of incompetence. The reason the military wasn't rushed in to help along the Gulf Coast is, I believe, the same reason nothing was done to stop looting after the fall of Baghdad. Flood control was neglected for the same reason our troops in Iraq didn't get adequate armor. At a fundamental level, I'd argue, our current leaders just aren't serious about some of the essential functions of government. They like waging war, but they don't like providing security, rescuing those in need or spending on preventive measures. And they never, ever ask for shared sacrifice. Yesterday Mr. Bush made an utterly fantastic claim: that nobody expected the breach of the levees. In fact, there had been repeated warnings about exactly that risk. So America, once famous for its can-do attitude, now has a can't-do government that makes excuses instead of doing its job. And while it makes those excuses, Americans are dying. E-mail: krugman@nytimes.com

n		02-Sep-2005 18:41
Guest: It's just a coincidence that Sam Antonio alluded to September 11 in a gallery about Cindy Sheehan, a person who wants Bush to explain, among other things, whether the intelligence used to justify an attack against Iraq was cooked -- and that includes a link between Sept 11 and Iraq. http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/

Guest		02-Sep-2005 06:23
Mr./Mrs./Ms. Guest, Where in my comments did I connect September 11 to Iraq? I am just trying to promote peace not a political agenda. You must be very popular because I see your name in a lot of other members' guestbook too.

Guest		01-Sep-2005 14:55
Sam Antonio...what does Sept. 11 have to do with Iraq? Iraq had nothing to do with Sept. 11. We might as well have invaded Greenland.

Guest		01-Sep-2005 05:03
As we approach another anniversary of September 11, let's all remember but never forget. God Bless America!

kburch		31-Aug-2005 04:08
http://www.blackfive.net Army Specialist Casey Sheehan - Someone You Should (Have) Know(n) Casey Sheehan grew up in a devout Catholic home. He served as an altar boy and then as a key member of his church's youth group for years. When he was old enough, Casey joined the Boy Scouts, becoming the very second Eagle Scout out of his troop. He enlisted in the Army when he was twenty years old. He decided to be a mechanic. He would undergo Combat Lifesaver training - a class on how to give IVs and treat trauma only second in intense learning to combat medic training. He was also certified to assist with giving communion to soldiers while in the field. Specialist Sheehan re-enlisted in the Army in 2004 knowing full well that he could be sent into a combat zone. Casey Sheehan was a Humvee mechanic with the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment. On April 3rd, 2004, forces loyal to Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al'Sadr stormed police stations and government offices in Sadr City (a city of over 2 million). They knew the Americans would come, and they wanted a fight. Muqtada Sadr was working them up into a religious frenzy. And he had his thugs murder anyone who he thought might stand in his way - even other Shi'ite clerics. His forces were known as the Mahdi Army. American forces quickly surrounded Muqtada al'Sadr's quarters. On April 4th, 2004, al'Sadr's Mahdi forces blocked roadways and bridges with burning tires, vehicles and trash. Visibility was less than 300 meters anywhere in the city. They began to attack American vehicles on patrol throughout Sadr City - some were protecting Shia worshipers (Holy Arbayeen) while others were escorting city government vehicles. A battle raged across Sadr City. Insurgents assaulted American troops while looters and mobs formed and stormed through the streets. Word spread quickly across the American FOBs that there was trouble. Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment were ambushed with RPGs and pinned down and dying. While fighting off an attack himself, the Commander of the 2/5th, LTC Volesky, called for help. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was formed of volunteers - their mission was to go out and rescue the American troops. Casey Sheehan's Sergeant asked for volunteers. Sheehan had just returned from Mass. After Sheehan volunteered once, the Sergeant asked Sheehan again if he wanted to go on the mission. According to many reports (and according to his own mother), Casey responded, "Where my Chief goes, I go." The QRF was launched. Not long after entering the Mahdi area, the QRF was channeled onto a dead-end street where the roofs were lined with snipers, RPGs, and even some militia throwing burning tires onto the vehicles. The Mahdi blocked the exit and let loose with everything they had. Sheehan's vehicle was hit with multiple RPGs and automatic-weapons fire. Specialist Casey Sheehan and Corporal Forest J. Jostes were killed. A second QRF was formed - all volunteers - to go rescue the first. Specialist Ahmed Cason was hit in the second QRF - but kept fighting until he bled to death. Seven men died with Casey Sheehan on Sunday, April 4th, 2004. They were Spc. Robert R. Arsiaga, Spc. Ahmed Cason, Sgt. Yihjyh L. "Eddie" Chen, Spc. Stephen D. Hiller, Spc. Israel Garza, Cpl. Forest J. Jostes, and Sgt. Michael W. Mitchell. It was Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem. Back then, the palm frond was a symbol of victory - laid beneath the feet of those of the highest honor and triumph. Some believe it was this honor fit for a king that forced Jesus's enemies to act and crucify him. In recognition of Casey, the Catholic Chapel at Fort Hood, Texas (where Sheehan was stationed) named the Knights of Columbus chapter the "Casey Austin Sheehan Council". Casey also received the Bronze Star for his Valor that day. Palm fronds for the most honored.

Donald Verger		30-Aug-2005 08:35
vote

Eric Pouhier		30-Aug-2005 07:46
Thank you so much for showing this to the world, this is good to see Americans being good and peaceful, you can be pround of yourselves guys. We are with you for PEACE, ERic

Guest		29-Aug-2005 11:36
God Bless you for protesting this senseless and unnecessary war,and the meatball brainless lying weasel president who got us into it!

Mike Harris		28-Aug-2005 19:55
It infuriates you to see America humiliated just to bring down Bush? So, what you're saying is that the war really is all about Bush. Well, at least you're honest. I'm sorry, but America is already being humiliated because of Bush. What Cindy is doing asking for accountability from her son's Commander-in-Chief. He goes on and on about 'staying the course', but seriously, what 'course' has he laid out? Does he even know what the ultimate goal is? Does he have an exit plan? Or is he going to follow the failures of leadership exampled in Vietnam? Cindy Sheehan isn't disgracing anyone. Republicans are so quick to taught the war for 'freedom' but are just as quick to condemn anyone who exercises their freedoms. Before you go off and say Sheehan has disgraced anyone, take a look in the mirror. If you want to put an end to free speech, then you write your congressperson and senator and demand they submit a bill to abolish the 1st Amendment. Let's see how far that goes.

doribell		27-Aug-2005 01:59
If a mother or father cannot speak out for their dead or wounded child who can. We need to honor and listen to Cindy; but more importantly our President and elected officials need to listen. They are afraid to really hear what she has to say because they do not have an answer for it. There are no good reasons for the mess we are in and the brave men and women that have lost life or limb for oil.

Barri Olson		25-Aug-2005 11:38
There is nothing more honorable than to serve one's country There is nothing of a higher honor than to give one's life for it. There is nothing of a lower honor than to ask someone else to do so for one's own egotism, pride or self gain.

n		24-Aug-2005 00:39
Guest: Angry? Consider this: If the American military presence in the region lasts another five years, the total outlay for the war could stretch to more than $1.3 trillion, or $11,300 for every household in the United States. Reasonable people think that that price, along with the thousands of dead and wounded, is too high to to oust a contained, powerless, impotent two-bit dictator and help the remnants establish a pro-Iran Islamic Republic. (From DailyKos.com citing the NY Times) Who is being used by whom?

Guest		23-Aug-2005 21:02
It angers me to see these misguided people being used by out-of-touch liberals. Don't these people realize that by protesting they are essentially disgracing the names of those soldiers who freely (remember all US military personel enlisted freely, there was no draft) gave their lives for a noble cause...freedom. Is freeing the Iraqi people not a noble cause? As a PROUD American, it infuriates me to know that these war protesters would rather see American humilated overseas just to bring down President Bush. Perhaps if Cindy Sheehan wasn't taking orders from the left-wing nuts like Michael Moore then maybe she might be taken more seriously by us clear thinking Americans who want nothing more than for our soldiers to return home safely but realize that we are over there for a good cause. God Bless the USA!

NonnyO		19-Aug-2005 07:32
LOVE THE PHOTOS!!! :-) The pro-peace people have been silent too long for fear our genuinely heartfelt patriotism was called into question, and it's time to speak out against the pResNitwit's unjustified war of choice that is illegal (by UN and Geneva Convention standards), unethical, and immoral. The whole foundation for his war was based on LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES, and it's high time the LIES were exposed for what they really are!!! There was/is just no excuse for this war to have happened....

Guest		19-Aug-2005 02:14
All we want is truth and justice and to stop the insanity....it was all lies and look at what the liars have created! WE THE PEOPLE need to take responsibility for those in Washington and DEMAND answers-to our faces- and no BS

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