"I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' "Was it freedom and democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism. There, I used the "I" word, imperialism, and now I'm going to use another "I" word, impeachment because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail."
- Cindy Sheehan
Quoted in Mike Ferner, "What One Mom Has To Say To Bush," August 9, 2005, published in Counterpunch Online Magazine. Mike Ferner is a writer in Toledo, Ohio and a member of Veterans for Peace. He can be reached at mike.ferner@sbcglobal.net.
For a full transcript of Cindy Sheehan's speech at the Veterans For Peace convention, please click here.

"I was told my son was killed in the war on terror. He was killed by George Bush's war of terror on the world."
-Cindy Sheehan

Friday, August 12th

On Friday, even more protesters poured in from all over the country, including veterans, military families, and antiwar activists.

President Bush's motorcade sped past the more than 100 hundred people gathered at Camp Casey and the hundreds of small crosses, stars of David, and Islamic crescents set up along the roadside in memory of those killed in Iraq. Bush did not stop to look or slow down--he was on his way to a fundraiser at the nearby Broken Spoke Ranch, a 478-acre spread next to Bush's ranch, where he met with some 230 people who have contributed at least $25,000 to the RNC.

Throughout the day, cars and vans of activists continued to flood the area. Sheehan said, "You would not believe it, there's a line of cars down a five-mile road and hundreds of them are going by."

Saturday, August 13th

Hundreds of anti-war demonstrators rallied at a park in Crawford in support of Sheehan, then traveled several miles out to her Camp Casey. People had come from Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York and many other states to say "Bring the Troops Home Now!"

Speakers at the rally inlcuded representatives from Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Gold Star Mothers for Peace. Cindy Sheehan, describing the day's events, said, " It was the most incredible, fantastic, fabulous, amazing, powerful, miraculous event I have ever been apart of. I was so humbled and honored at the outpouring of love and support that arrived in Camp Casey today. It was a busy morning of interviews and problem solving. I had interviews with some network shows and a photo shoot for the Vanity Fair article. Almost all of the reporters ask me if I have accomplished anything at Camp Casey and I think we really have. We have brought the war onto the front pages of the newspapers and the top stories of the mainstream media. It is really incredible that we are doing so well in the media because I keep telling all of the reporters that I am doing their jobs. I am asking the tough questions of the President that they don't ask."

Meanwhile, President Bush attended a Little League playoff game near his Texas ranch. Bush welcomed the players, coaches and families to Texas from the pitcher's mound, and then threw out the first pitch and watched from behind home plate with the first lady and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. While Bush watched the southwestern regional championship, six more U.S. soldiers and an unkown number of Iraqi civilians died.

Back at Camp Casey, Cindy Sheehan hopped up into the bed of a pickup, and said, "Who knew the end of the occupation of Iraq would begin in Crawford, Texas, last Saturday?" she said, eliciting cheers. "Who knew America would stand up and say 'We're sick of this s—, bring'em home!'"

Sunday, August 14th

Hundreds are still gathered in Camp Casey. Cindy Sheehan has stated that she intends to stay in Crawford until the end of August, when she will follow Bush to Washington DC. Supporters are still arriving in the Crawford area. The delegation from Troops Out Now is preparing now to join Camp Casey in Crawford in the next few days.