Cindy Sheehan Vigil (TX)
April 4, 2004-August 7, 2005
Cindy Sheehan begins vigil at Bush’s Texas ranch
On April 4, 2004, 24-year-old Army Mechanic and Specialist Casey Sheehan was killed in Sadr City, Baghdad along with eight other United States soldiers killed from a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. The Shiites were angry over the arrest of a cleric’s deputy and stormed through the streets of Baghdad, killing the soldiers. Cindy Sheehan, Casey’s mother, was undeniably upset about her son’s death especially after President George W. Bush claimed that the sacrifice of the US troops was a valiant cause and for the good of the war. Cindy Sheehan blamed Bush for killing her son and wanted him to take responsibility. Sheehan met with Bush in 2004 at Fort Lewis, Washington and immediately walked away with the belief that the war was wrong and needed to end. On August 3, 2005 Sheehan and other peace activists including families of troops from Iraq and Vietnam War set up a vigil outside of Bush’s ranch in Crawford Texas- where he was residing for vacation. Cindy Sheehan is a co-founder of the anti-war group called Gold Star Families for Peace that wanted soldiers sacrifice to be honored and to bring the soldiers home and immediately end the war. Sheehan claimed that the group would not leave until she got a chance to meet with President Bush. Numerous counterattacks and angry neighbors shot at the vigil however the vigil gained huge national attention as well as more supporters. The Gold Star Families for Peace created a commercial video in order to catch the president’s attention. Sheehan stated that, “we aren't doing the country a favor when we present recent history in a way that makes our system look better than it is. Sometimes the public needs to hear unpleasant truths, even if those truths make them feel worse about their country.” This statement concluded that the Iraq war was supercilious because there was no immediate threat of nuclear weapons at the time. President Bush hid away and ignored the vigil when it ended after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and he went to visit.
Cindy Sheehan’s vigil in Texas highlighted the problems faced during war and the specific details on why the United States should end the war. Many supporters of Cindy Sheehan spoke out after her vigil describing the horrific details of the “useless” war due to the lack of threat. This vigil was also significant because it began the outcry to stop the Iraq war after Cindy made national news. President Bush began to receive insults and was perceived differently by American citizens because of his lack of response to Cindy. President Bush displayed his fear and secrecy about the war toward the US citizens which does not follow the “democracy” aspect of the US government.
Cindy Sheehan begins vigil at Bush’s Texas ranch
On April 4, 2004, 24-year-old Army Mechanic and Specialist Casey Sheehan was killed in Sadr City, Baghdad along with eight other United States soldiers killed from a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. The Shiites were angry over the arrest of a cleric’s deputy and stormed through the streets of Baghdad, killing the soldiers. Cindy Sheehan, Casey’s mother, was undeniably upset about her son’s death especially after President George W. Bush claimed that the sacrifice of the US troops was a valiant cause and for the good of the war. Cindy Sheehan blamed Bush for killing her son and wanted him to take responsibility. Sheehan met with Bush in 2004 at Fort Lewis, Washington and immediately walked away with the belief that the war was wrong and needed to end. On August 3, 2005 Sheehan and other peace activists including families of troops from Iraq and Vietnam War set up a vigil outside of Bush’s ranch in Crawford Texas- where he was residing for vacation. Cindy Sheehan is a co-founder of the anti-war group called Gold Star Families for Peace that wanted soldiers sacrifice to be honored and to bring the soldiers home and immediately end the war. Sheehan claimed that the group would not leave until she got a chance to meet with President Bush. Numerous counterattacks and angry neighbors shot at the vigil however the vigil gained huge national attention as well as more supporters. The Gold Star Families for Peace created a commercial video in order to catch the president’s attention. Sheehan stated that, “we aren't doing the country a favor when we present recent history in a way that makes our system look better than it is. Sometimes the public needs to hear unpleasant truths, even if those truths make them feel worse about their country.” This statement concluded that the Iraq war was supercilious because there was no immediate threat of nuclear weapons at the time. President Bush hid away and ignored the vigil when it ended after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and he went to visit.
Cindy Sheehan’s vigil in Texas highlighted the problems faced during war and the specific details on why the United States should end the war. Many supporters of Cindy Sheehan spoke out after her vigil describing the horrific details of the “useless” war due to the lack of threat. This vigil was also significant because it began the outcry to stop the Iraq war after Cindy made national news. President Bush began to receive insults and was perceived differently by American citizens because of his lack of response to Cindy. President Bush displayed his fear and secrecy about the war toward the US citizens which does not follow the “democracy” aspect of the US government.