WHY CINDY SHEEHAN MAY HAVE GONE TO TEXAS

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WHY CINDY SHEEHAN MAY HAVE GONE TO TEXAS

In Ireland there is a season of Marches. In DC, there is a season of protests, fall, usually starting with the IMF protest. This season started earlier, mid August. A mother said she stood alone in Crawford Texas. Her political affiliations continue to out her being part of something bigger, planned earlier, by others. But then, heigh-ho the derry-o, so did the cheese in "The Farmer In The Dell" nursery rhyme claim to stand alone.

Cindy Sheehan is an umbrella member of United For Peace and Justice, organizer of anti-administration protests, including the one weeks away. September 24th.

Members of United For Peace and Justice include International Solidarity Movement/ ISM, MFSO/Military Families Speak Out, and Gold Star Families For Peace/GSFP. Sheehan co-founded GSFP. January 2005, Sheehan flew in from California protesting alongside MFSO supporters outside the Inauguration and Pentagon. ISM recruits youth off college campuses to function as "human shields" in the Middle East.

May 11th, United for Peace and Justice's call to action went out, announcing with A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, plans for a "Mass March," DC, the "largest possible anti-war demonstration" scheduled to begin behind the White House at the Ellipse. May 12th, A.N.S.W.E.R. coordinated "anti-war, civil rights, religious and community leaders" at the National Press Club- Partnership for Civil Justice, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Plymouth Congregational Church, DC Healthcare Coalition, Mexico Solidarity Network and Nicaragua Network were slated to speak. Letters would be read, from former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark, Nick Berg's father Michael, National Popular Party of Haiti and a Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.

A.N.S.W.E.R. announced "Victory!" early on. The National Park Service signed off on a routine march permit request. But then, that is the function of the Park Service, to grant permits for marches assuring flora and fauna are respected.

The anti-war Coalition began fundraising their projected $50,000 war chest to underwrite "hundreds of thousands of leaflets, posters, stickers, and organized transportation from. 100 of cities around the country with Transportation Centers in place." June 11th the Coalition's Street Outreach Team began recruiting volunteers to spread the word about Sept. 24th's coordinated actions in San Francisco, LA and DC. Posters read, "Stop the War in Iraq! End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and Everywhere! U.S. troops should be brought home now. We will support the right of the Iraqi people to live free from foreign domination, the right of the Palestinian people to return, and the right of all people everywhere to live free from war and the ever-present threats emanating from the Bush White House."

Volunteers were directed "wherever you are, print out the flyer, make copies and spread the word. hand out flyers at any busy location - a street corner, a public transportation point during rush hour, a market, a street fair, a movie theater, a progressive event - any place where there are people. Put up posters on street corners, in bookstores, laundromats, coffee shops, libraries, at schools, and wherever you can find a bulletin board." Even the bottom of a lamp post on Embassy Row in DC, kitty corner to the statue of Mahat Maghandi, credited with promoting peaceful protest. June 6, A.N.S.W.E.R. hailed a "powerful showing of true unity as communities, anti-war and social justice groups are coming together to organize a massive mobilization showing principled solidarity and resistance to Bush's war drive and quest for Empire."

August 6, 2005, Sheehan made camp roadside in a ditch 3 miles from Prairie Chapel Ranch, the President's home away from the White House. July 4, Sheehan described her meeting with the President as "one of the most disgusting experiences I ever had" taking her "almost a year to even talk about it."

Cindy neglected to tell people, June 1st, she stood alone. Husband Pat and she formerly separated. He served her citing irreconcilable political differences. Pat supports his son in death. Cindy says she grieves publicly for all mothers. Noticeably, daughters not by her side, son Andy wants mom home. A family statement released by sister-in-law Cherie, finally answered the question people curious about, Cindy did not speak for them.

With moveon.org asking people to "please join us, and together, we'll make sure that President Bush can't escape the reality of this war," with the long planned March nearing, there is no guessing wrong who may be front and center of UFPJ and A.N.S.W.E.R.'s march banner on Pennsylvania Avenue... Cindy Sheehan, September 24th. But then she most likely knew that way back before she landed in Crawford.

BIO: Carrie Devorah is a DC based news photojournalist covering DC's Street marches. "Timelines are helpful in sorting which came first the chicken or the egg, the single protestor or their participation in group voice. Gives a different perspective on motivations and end goals. Questions over Ms. Sheehan's political rhetoric are laid to rest when one covers DC protests. The phrase 'the usual suspects' comes to mind, when one hears a supporter reflecting sentiments protest organizers promote on their websites."