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Sheehan urges protesters to 'stand up'

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 24, 2008 at 11:09 a.m.
Updated August 24, 2008 at 12:50 p.m.

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Anti-war activist and member of the Activist Response Team, Laurie Albeiter, takes part in rally in front of the west steps of the state capitol today.

Photo by Javier Manzano © The Rocky

Anti-war activist and member of the Activist Response Team, Laurie Albeiter, takes part in rally in front of the west steps of the state capitol today.

Nine-year-old Devin Mauro-Gallegos and his father, Rich Mauro, of Denver, take in an anti-war protest on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol today.

Photo by Javier Manzano © The Rocky

Nine-year-old Devin Mauro-Gallegos and his father, Rich Mauro, of Denver, take in an anti-war protest on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol today.

Cindy Sheehan, whose 24-year-old soldier son became a casualty of the Iraq war, helped propel an anti-war movement in 2005 when she set up camp for several weeks outside of President Bush's Texas ranch.

Today, a defiant Sheehan told a group of at least 200 protesters gathered on the west side of the state Capitol that the fight for peace is far from over.

"Three years ago today, we were sweltering in Crawford, Texas, camping outside George Bush's ranch," she said. "Three years later, our country is still mired in the Middle East. They're talking about more war."

Sheehan, who spoke for about six minutes as police on bikes and from the Capitol kept a close watch on the peaceful crowd, urged protesters to make their voices heard.

"I don't want anybody to get hurt, but I want you to stand up for your right to be heard," she said.

Sheehan, who is challenging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the November election, challenged Pelosi to a debate. She called Pelosi "the queen of the corporate system."

"We need to bring our troops back from all foreign occupations," she said. "We need to make sure our voices are heard. Don't let them shut us up. Over the past eight years, they've wanted to shut me up, and they won't shut me up."

Sheehan said people tell her that she has an "aggressive agenda" and wonder how she's going to get things done.

"I can't do it by myself," she said. "I need your help. I need the people of this country to reassert our sovereignty, take back our Constitution and demand that our leaders work for peace."

After she spoke, Sheehan received rock star treatment. People in the crowd swarmed around her to shake her hand or take her picture.

"You're my hero," Debbie McGrew, a self-described "old hippie," said before wrapping her arms around Sheehan.

McGrew, of Golden, said Sheehan went through what no mother should have to experience.

"She turned that terrible, awful pain into being an activist," she said.

In an interview after her speech, Sheehan said she will continue her activism.

"I have surviving children. I have a new grandson," she said, smiling. "It's the children of the world that keep me involved in this and the people who are being killed for no reason."

Comments

  • August 24, 2008

    11:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tjpatriot writes:

    You have the right to speak, but we also have the right to tune your stupid a$$ out.

  • August 24, 2008

    12:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    Ward Churchill has surfaced wearing shades to conceal his blue eyes. The violent peace protesters are all over TV down here.

  • August 24, 2008

    12:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    chronic writes:

    guy from Fox wades into protest parade begging someone to go on camera to articulate their "message." ... the best they can come up with is "F**K Fox News." - how articulate. someone please tell me why those losers have scarves over their faces - like anyone cares who they are.

  • August 25, 2008

    4:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    elmysterio writes:

    Chronic: Well, why waste your breath talking to the propaganda machine known as Fox. Waste of time. Now, it seems to me that the three posters above oppose the protests at the Democratic convention. Why is that? Do you not realize that these people are standing up for your rights? Are you content to be a slave of the corporations and the empire? Do you consent to the feeding of your children to the war machine? Do you consent to the impending fascist police state that is quickly coming? Do you consent to having your liberty taken from you in the name of 'security'? Have you lost your humanity SO much that you cheer the death and destruction delivered by the United State upon the people of the world?

    People like Cindy Sheehan are standing up for YOU. Look at what her message is. She wants an end to war. She wants an end to corrupt corporate influence in government. She wants an end to these corrupt career politicians who have been robbing the American people blind. She wants social programs that help people when they're down, instead of kicking them in the teeth.

    I think you're too caught up in the whole right/left divide to the point where it's like a sporting event, and you're cheering on your side to win. That is way too small minded people. The whole left/right thing is designed to keep the people from coming together and realizing that they've been hoodwinked by the elite and reclaiming their rightful place as masters of the government. YOU the people are in charge of the government, not the other way around.

    The fact that ANY working class person embraces right-wing politics shows how brainwashed they really are. There's NOTHING for the average person in right-wing politics. It's socialism for the rich, and harsh, predatory capitalism for everyone else. Totally against your best interests. Totally against the interests of your families.

    Instead, I see right-wing people just spit venom and hatred towards the people who are STANDING up for your rights! It's mindboggling. Even people who have lost their children to the war machine are STILL embracing the empire. It's madness!

    So right/left aside, the anti-war movement, is NOT just made up of "Crazy Lefties". There are lots of so-called conservatives that are against the war and the government in it's current form. Look at Pat Buchanan, or Paul Craig Roberts, or even Dr. Ron Paul... SOLID conservatives SCREAMING that the republic is dead and fascism is here. Take note people. Wake up from your slumber and realize that your true enemy is not Iraq, or Iran or even Al-Qa'aida... it's your own government and the bankers and corporations that have seized control of it.