1,500 Vigils for Cindy Held Across U.S.

In my hometown: “CANDLES FOR PEACE: Austin Henry, 15, left foreground, Matilda Henry, center, and Arielle Yarwood, 14, all of Sequim, hold candles and flags as they attend a vigil at Port Angeles Veterans Park on Wednesday night to support Cindy Sheehan, the California mother who is demonstrating outside President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas. Sheehan has become the icon of the anti-war movement since she started a protest Aug. 6 in memory of her son, Casey, who died in Iraq last year. About 65 people attended the Port Angeles vigil and 100 were at the Port Townsend vigil, two of about 1,600 held nationwide on Wednesday. (Photo by Tom Thompson/Peninsula Daily News) – 08-18-2005

From Democracy Now!:

More Than 1,500 Antiwar Vigils Held Across the US
Last night, people across the United States participated in more than 1,500 candlelight vigils calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq. The vigils were called by Cindy Sheehan who is continuing her antiwar protest outside of President Bush’s property near Crawford, Texas. Here is the mother of a soldier who was wounded in Iraq, speaking at a vigil in Washington DC.

Cindy Sheehan has been joined by a growing number of people at her protest and has now begun setting up camp on the property of one of President Bush’s neighbors who offered his land to Sheehan. Among the people joining her are several parents of soldiers killed in Iraq, as well as Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey, whose son died in Iraq, as well as FBI whistleblower Colleen Rowley–who is running for Congress in Minnesota. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern [COOL!] is also in Crawford and many more people are expected to pour in for a rally planned for Thursday evening.
Cindy Sheehan:
“Our spirits are always good here at Camp Casey ’cause we feel the support of everybody around the world.” (Video/Audio/Text, which includes clip from another bereaved mother)

Check out Cho’s “Willmantic Frog Bridge Vigil for Casey Sheehan.” SHARE your vigil stories below!

Update [2005-8-18 13:48:58 by susanhu]: Keith Olbermann’s TOP STORY tonight. BELOW THE FOLD:
Update [2005-8-18 13:48:58 by susanhu]: From MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann newsletter:

Supporters of Cindy Sheehan held more than 1,500 candlelight vigils across the country on Wednesday night in solidarity with this mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, who has set up a protest encampment down the road from President Bush’s ranch here. NYT

Cindy Sheehan may be the catalyst of crisis for the Bush presidency. ” Pat Buchanan.

A stream of bad news out of Iraq, echoed at home by polls that show growing impatience with the war and rising disapproval of President Bush’s Iraq policies, is stirring political concern in Republican circles, party officials said. NYT

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.

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