Iraq War Protest Vigils Dot U.S.
'Peace Mom' Protest At Bush Ranch Seen As Catalyst
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Play CBS Video Video Iraq War Vigils There was a national night of demonstrations to for and against the war, which was sparked by one woman's efforts to see President Bush. CBS News' Bill Plante reports.
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Video Mom Now Anti-War Lightning Rod Some of Cindy Sheehan's rhetoric has made her a target for some conservatives. Bill Plante reports that liberal groups are trying to revive her anti-war message with candlelight vigils.
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Cindy Sheehan (left, wearing a peace symbol T-shirt) and Benjamin Hart (right), an Iraq war veteran from Austin, Texas, lead a candlelight vigil Wednesday night near the Bush ranch. (AP)
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Vietnam war veteran Tom Tennet holds his dog during a vigil in Tacoma, Washington, in support of Cindy Sheehan. Tennet plans to drive to Crawford, Texas, to join the protesters there. (AP)
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Sheehan sympathizers in Flagstaff, Arizona, made their stand on the lawn in front of City Hall, with a flag to emphasize their patriotism. (AP)
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Interactive Moms On Anti-Warpath Sue Niederer and Cindy Sheehan, mothers of a slain American soldiers, turn their grief into activism.
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Interactive Bush Presidency The president's agenda, plus facts, figures, major events and key personalities.
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
The vigil calling for an end to the war in Iraq was among hundreds nationwide Wednesday, part of an effort spurred by Cindy Sheehan's anti-war protest in memory of her son Casey, who died in Iraq last year.
"For the more than 1,800 who have come home this way in flag-draped coffins, each one ... was a son or a daughter, not cannon fodder to be used so recklessly," Sheehan said. "Each one is a valuable human life that is missed so desperately."
More than 1,600 vigils were held from coast to coast, drawing tens of thousands of people, according to the organizers, liberal advocacy groups MoveOn.org, TrueMajority and Democracy for America. A vigil was also held at Paris' Peace Wall, a glass monument near the Eiffel Tower that says "peace" in 32 languages.
Marie Evans said she attended a gathering at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City to make her opposition to the war heard.
"There was no question in my mind that we needed to make a statement in Oklahoma, which is a very conservative state," she said, holding a sign that read, "Every day President Bush plays in Crawford our young men die."
Demonstrators in Nashville, Tenn., carried candles, flags and banners of protest, including one that read: "Thank you for your courage Cindy."
"This is a good example of how one person can make a difference," said Gigi Gaskins, 44, of Nashville.
Sheehan, of Vacaville, Calif., has said she won't leave Texas until Bush's monthlong vacation ends or he meets with her and other grieving families.
President Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan but has made no indication he will meet with her. Two top Bush administration officials talked to Sheehan the day she started her camp, and she and other families met with Bush shortly after her son's death and before she became a vocal opponent of the war.
By Angela K. Brown ©MMV The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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