She's baaaack....in the news

[Neil D]

By Lisa Lambert

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - More than 100,000 protesters flooded Washington on Saturday to stage dual demonstrations against the U.S.-led war in Iraq and economic globalization, before coming together to demand that President George W. Bush bring troops home.

Thousands marched in London as well, and protests were planned in San Francisco and Los Angeles that called for an end to military action in Iraq nearly 30 months after an invasion ousted Saddam Hussein.

"We need a people's movement to end this war," said Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war protester whose son was killed in fighting in Iraq. Camping out in Crawford, Texas, during much of August while Bush was vacationing there, Sheehan's rallies drew crowds that sometimes numbered in the hundreds as she demanded a meeting with Bush.

Cindy S. takes the protest to washington, 100,000 strong

[Derrell M]

I heard on the news that the Democrat politicians are largely skipping out on this one.

[Dr. Shane]

Democrat politicians are trying to get as far away from her as they can. It has become evident that she is either mentally unstable or clearly anti-American. She calls the insurgents in Iraq "freedom fighters." No Democrat wants to be associated with that. At least none that ever wants to get re-elected.

[Dr. Shane]

I see on the news that there was a protest to protest the anti-war protest. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Not sure how often that happened during Vietnaum.

[Neil D]

Quote:

---

Protesters of Iraq war flock to U.S. capital

By Michael Janofsky The New York Times

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

WASHINGTON Vast numbers of protesters from around the United States poured onto the lawns behind the White House over the weekend to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq, pointedly directing their anger at President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

A sea of anti-administration signs and banners flashed back at a long succession of speakers, who sharply rebuked the administration for continuing a war that has cost the lives of nearly 2,000 Americans and many more Iraqis. Many of the speakers Saturday also charged Bush with squandering resources that could have been used to aid people affected by the two hurricanes that slammed into the Gulf Coast.

As protesters moved from the rally to a march around the White House, in some areas they came face to face with groups of pro-administration demonstrators, who held up signs expressing support for the war.

Organizers of the rally and march had a permit for 100,000 people, but the National Park Service no longer provides official estimates for large gatherings in Washington.

Rallies held Saturday in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and other cities drew considerably smaller crowds, but unlike the more varied themes of recent protests against administration policies, antiwar sentiment was consistent throughout.

Bush was in Colorado and Texas monitoring hurricane developments, and Cheney was undergoing surgery at George Washington University hospital.

Dana Perino, a spokeswoman for the administration, said: "The White House is certainly aware of the protest. The president believes that one of the most treasured rights of Americans is to peacefully express yourself, and there are differences of opinion about the way forward. He understands that."

Speakers at the rally included Cindy Sheehan, the California mother whose son was killed last year fighting in Iraq. Sheehan has become the face of the movement because of her protest efforts over the summer, camping near Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Her appearance and brief remarks drew a thunderous response.

[:"green"] But the crowd also heard from old lions of the antiwar movement, like the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the actress Jessica Lange, Ralph Nader and former [:"red"]Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who has endorsed impeaching Bush. [/] [/]

Jackson reminded the crowd that the war proceeded without proof that Iraq had unconventional weapons or a connection to Al Qaeda, saying, "We deserve another way and better leadership."

The protests here and elsewhere were largely sponsored by two groups, the Answer Coalition, which embodies a wide range of progressive political objectives, and United for Peace and Justice, which has a more narrow, antiwar focus.

For months in planning, the main theme was Iraq. But following the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita on the Gulf Coast, the rally embraced domestic themes as well. One sign held high said, "Make levees, not war."

Reporting for this article was contributed by Holli Chmela and Lakiesha Carr in Washington, Carolyn Marshall in San Francisco and Chris Dixon in Los Angeles.