Cindy Leads Die-in Protest at White House

  • Bob Fertik's picture
    Bob Fertik
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October 27, 2005

To mark the death of the 2000th U.S. soldier in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan led a die-in protest in front of the White House (photos by Ben Slade). Cindy and 25 other peace activists were arrested and jailed for several hours for "demonstrating without a permit." (Where are the "strict constructionist" judges who can properly interpret the First Amendment guarantees of "the right of the people peaceably to assemble"?)

 

Cindy was arrested with Juan Torres Sr. father of Army Spc. Juan Torres Jr, killed in Iraq 7/12/04, David Swanson of Democrats.com, and dozens of other protesters.

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Vigil in East Patchogue and Patchogue, Long Island

  • tearsfromastar's picture
    tearsfromastar
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10/27/05
9:30am

Yesterday at from 4-6 we were in front of the recruiting center in Patchogue. An Iraq war veteran, an African-American woman, told passing young people "don't enlist, they lie to you". We didn't know her, but she was very angry and got into an hour Long dialogue with an African American recruiter telling him that he should behave in a moral way and not lie to the young people. She was very religious and said he would have to answer for his sins in the next life.
We had with us about 25 people, including young toddlers and gray haired activists and everybody in between. There was one Vietnam and one Gulf War veteran both amazing guys. Brian always talks softly to other vets and empathizes with their feelings; they always leave understanding why we are there better. Bill works with African American youth teaching them to box locally. He took some flyers I had for a speaker coming to a local library from Military Families Speak Out to share with some young people he knew.

Very little hostility and many thank you's and yes I agree with you.

It got to be cold with a chilling wind.

Karen, our organizer for the AFSC vigil got 35 names on the petitions she got signed. Many lovely souls. Eve was holding a large American flag with a peace symbol for the stars. We had Unitarians, Pax Christi people, Methodists, agnostics,Jews, and secular follk. Some of us have been working for peace for years, others are new to this work.

Tremendous spirit among students, young mothers, veterans,seniors, professionals. I saw one CWA retiree sign our petition.
It was sad to see many veterans of previous wars who supported us but looked very thin, troubled, victims of abuse of their bodies by the war and alcohol or drugs. When asked to join us they said no, but I support you and then they walked away.

One military recruiter engaged in a long dialogue with us and seemed moved, but its hard to know what's sincere and what isn't.

After this was over we went to East Patchogue for a Move On vigil also about 40 people or more. I had to leave early. This one got good coverage on Channel 12. The Not One More sign was clearly visible, and Carol said "they said we can't leave that it will be chaos, but how could it get any worse". These were people that were middle aged many of them new to this. They were very typical of my neighbors here in East Patchogue,nicely dressed and quiet in demeanor, very determined to end this war. I think that Bush is in trouble. These are people that don't like to shine. Typical Suffolk citizens, mannerly,polite, going about work and family life, but now feel impelled to be active in the struggle against this war. They seem to feel a moral repugnance to this Administration as though they themselves would throw up the lies they have had to listen to and are getting their equilibrium by bringing a candle in the night and standing in front of the hosts house.

It was a strange and beautiful sight-the jack-o-lantern's glowing in front of her beautifully Halloween decorated house while the lanterns of Move On people glowed standing by the road for peace and an end to this horror nightmare of a war.