Campaigners flood one-woman war protest on Bush's doorstep
A one-woman protest which pitched up on US President George Bush’s doorstep 10 days ago has become the focus of heightened tensions both in support of and against the Iraq war.
Cindy Sheehan travelled to Bush’s Texas ranch to demand an end to the conflict which claimed the life of her 24-year-old soldier son, Casey, in Baghdad, in April 2004.
Her dusty roadside camp has been flooded by more than 200 anti-war leaders and civil rights campaigners hoping to use the spotlight to galvanise support for their cause, but the scene has become increasingly less peaceful.
Larry Mattlage, 62, one of Bush’s gun-wielding neighbours, fired shots into the air yesterday before complaining about the fracas outside his home.
“Five weeks of this is too much. We live here, this is our community,” he told reporters, claiming that the gunshots were just preparations for dove-hunting season.
Asked if the shots had another message, Mattlage said: “Figure it out for yourself.”
The throngs of protesters have set up tents and portable toilets and the rural roads are blocked with cars.
The impromptu campsite, dubbed “Camp Casey” is covered with flowers and banners and some 500 white crosses have been planted along the route to Bush’s ranch, each emblazoned with the name of a dead soldier.
Across the road more than 200 Bush supporters held a counter protest on Saturday, waving US flags and brandishing signs that accused Sheehan of being unpatriotic and hurting troop morale.
Sheehan has gradually become the face of the anti-war protest and has done so many interviews that she is said to have her own media advisor.
Bush has refused to meet her since she landed some two miles from his ranch last Saturday, although he is well aware of her protest. His convoy has been whisked directly past the colourful camp several times.
Sheehan, 48, from California, has acknowledged that the protest “could get physical” but has refused to budge, vowing to stay for another three weeks, or until Bush speaks to her.
She was among a group of bereaved relatives who met Bush last June but claims he changed the subject every time she tried to speak about her son.
“We wanted (Bush) to look at pictures of Casey, we wanted him to hear stories about Casey, and he wouldn’t,” she has said. “He wouldn’t say Casey’s name, called him ’your loved one.”’
Bush has expressed sympathy for Sheehan and said she had every right to speak out for what she believes.
“Listen, I sympathise with Mrs Sheehan. She feels strongly about her position,” he said last week.
“I’ve heard her position from others, which is get out of Iraq now. And it would be a mistake... if we were to do so.”
