Sheehan vigils make front page of Boston Globe

[WilliamPitt]

Nazima Samir of Somerville at a vigil for Cindy Sheehan at Davis Square. More than 50 vigils were held across the state. (Globe Staff Photo / Matthew J. Lee)

Vigils across state, nation back mother of dead soldier
Thousands support woman at Bush ranch
By Ralph Ranalli, Globe Staff | August 18, 2005

With twilight and candlelight playing across solemn faces, thousands of antiwar protesters gathered at more than 50 vigils at sites from Northampton to Quincy last night, in solidarity with a mother of four from California who has camped outside President Bush's ranch in Texas for 10 days and who vows to remain until he explains why her soldier son had to die.

The number of hastily organized protests across the state and the country -- more than 50,000 registered for 1,627 vigils across the United States, the political action group Moveon.org said on its website -- showed a new depth of feeling against the war that has coalesced around Cindy Sheehan and her protest in Crawford, Texas, organizers said.

In Cambridge alone, five separate vigils were scheduled for last night. In some cases, the gatherings were intimate, no more than extended groups of friends gathering outside an apartment, but many were large and were held in public spaces.

In Somerville, about 250 people attended a gathering called ''Davis Square Supports Cindy Sheehan," the 48-year-old mother of Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, who died last year in Sadr City, Iraq. Many held candles, and one protester held a sign that read: ''Honk if the War Makes You Sick."

At least 10 passing motorists honked their horns, but one man leaned out of his car window and yelled, ''The terrorists are going to get you next!"

Protesters said the rapid and enthusiastic response to the call for vigils this week indicated that Sheehan's protest at Bush's ranch has struck a chord with opponents of the Iraq war.

''I think she has really inspired people with the idea that one person can make a difference," said Rose Gonzalez, 30, of Somerville, who attended the Davis Square protest with her 2-month-old son, Marcos, in a baby sling across her chest and her 2-year-old daughter, Talia, alongside.

''People think, 'Wow, it is OK to speak up about this,' " she said.

...more...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/08/18/vigils_across_state_nation_back_mother_of_dead_soldier/

[AlCzervik]

1. Also the Front page of the Sacramento Bee

Hundreds of people gathered at vigils in the Sacramento area, joining thousands across the nation, to stand in silence Wednesday night and make a collective statement against the war in Iraq.
Anti-war activists gathered in more than 1,600 cities - at busy intersections and in front of government buildings - to support Cindy Sheehan, the Vacaville mother who has camped outside President Bush's ranch in Texas in an effort to speak with him about her son Casey, a soldier killed in Iraq.

Candles in hand, people also commemorated the more than 1,800 U.S. troops killed in the war.


Responding to a call from the liberal organization MoveOn.org, vigils were held in cities throughout the capital region, including West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, two in Davis, two in Winters, Loomis, Citrus Heights, Roseville and two in Sacramento.

"I know a lot of us don't have family in the military, but we have to recognize their losses and show our support and sorrow," said Carol Yeates, who helped host a vigil in Fair Oaks. "I think a lot of people feel very frustrated about this war and they are looking for a way to
speak up about that, which is ironic because it's a silent vigil."

http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/special_reports/iraq/bee/story/13433806p-14274933c.html

[sniffa]

2. hey, that's not the front page

the quincy vigiL was on A1 above the foLd. :bounce:

how many went to park st?

[WilliamPitt]

3. About 200

[H2O Man]

4. I had several visitors

yesterday, including two republicans. They are both in their 50s. One is a veteran. I was encouraged to hear them both speak very favorably about Cindy and her courageous action. The veteran has long tried to justify the American effort in Iraq. Yesterday was the first time he has said that Bush has gotten our nation in a terrible mess, and that this administration is incapable of getting us out.

This lady is communicating an important message to the nation, and indeed, to the world.

[Burried News]

5. The President defined himself as a War President.

The war is over.

And you know George, you may actually succeed in starting another war. But that isn't going to help you. The man in the foxhole next to me has to be trusted and George you can't be trusted. And as for leading - look behind you George - all you got is money and Diebold. If there are many more demonstrations that is going to be crystal clear.