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August 17, 2005
Standing with Cindy
In the peace vigil Wednesday evening at Houston's Mecom Fountain, approximately 300 people stood in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan's quest to demand answers from George W. Bush. Some attendees (including yours truly) might well have been veterans of similar vigils in the days of Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy, while others were experiencing for the first time the power of coming together to call for peace. Signs ranged from "Stop the War" and "Cindy Speaks for Me" to "Moms for Peace" and "Veterans for Peace." Some folks brought their dogs, who added some friendly "barks for peace" to the quiet discussions around the fountain. By far, the preponderance of drivers in the surrounding traffic circle honked or waved in agreement with the sign-holders. The Associated Press has a story about similar events around the country.
For those unable to attend on Wednesday evening (or for those who did), there will be another opportunity to show solidarity with Cindy on Thursday evening:
WHAT: A dialogue about how best to answer Cindy's call for a Camp Casey in Houston
WHEN: Thursday, August 18, 2005, 7:00 PM
WHERE: Houston Peace and Justice Center, 2990 Richmond, Suite 615
WHY: To peacefully stand in unity with Cindy and military families who oppose the war and occupation in Iraq
Posted by at August 17, 2005 11:49 PM | Permalink
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Comments
An Austin Account
There were several great events in Austin as well. I attended the downtown vigil, which achieved a great aesthetic effect with a two-way procession of lights on the Lamar pedestrian bridge. Unfortunately, even in this city, there were those who could not bring themselves to agree to disagree.
A scraggly, foul-mouthed man--who looked like he just woke up from a long nap on a public bench--disrupted ceremonies toward the end by loudly and angrily stirring up a confrontation with our organizers. I was just leaving as he arrived, cursing the hero Cindy under his breath the whole way. My thought was "considering what the Bush economy has apparently done for you, you might want to reconsider your allegiances." This intrusion unfortunately became part of the news reports covering our efforts.
However, I saw lots of new faces, and there was lots of enthusiasm for our support of Cindy and the troops. Thanks to all throughout Texas for helping to display and cultivate our spirit of patriotic dissent.
Posted by: NicholaS at August 18, 2005 08:36 AM
I too was at the Mecom fountain and I found this to be the best moment: A police car pulled up to the crowd (blocking traffic). The officer rolled down the window and asked us "What group are you folks with...are you with a specific group?" At that time, a woman from the back of the crowd shouted, " We are AMERICANS sir, that's the group we are with!"
Great moment....
Posted by: Leah B at August 19, 2005 07:05 PM