Crawford rallies against war, protesters demand "out now!" at Bush ranch check point

Crawford, Texas (November 26, 2005) - Cindy Sheehan and peace activists from across the country wrapped up Thanksgiving outside the Bush vacation ranch today. Festivities included a press conference, book signing, big tent rally, secret service checkpoint protest, mass balloon release, and a evening candle light vigil.

An early morning thunderstorm drenched Camp Casey, but residents shook off and dried out in time to host a press conference with Gold Star Families for Peace co-founder Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan announced her newly released book Not One More Mother’s Child. A book signing benefiting the Crawford Peace House followed the press conference.

The march to the Bush secret service checkpoint was cancelled due to poor weather but dozens of folks took up positions at the checkpoint anyway. Gold Star Families for Peace members, including Cindy Sheehan and her sister DeDe Miller, chanted "What noble cause?" as Secret Service SUVs passed.

Due to the presence of the protesters, the president’s convoy detoured past Camp Casey and the peace rally. After Daniel Ellsberg’s presentation, the activists jumped up and out of the tent to meet the Bush limo. Most folks only caught a glimpse of the limo as it sped by significantly faster than the posted speed limit.

Nina Nahvi, sister of Spc. Russell H. Nahvi killed in Balad, Iraq on October 19, 2005, spoke of her loss for the first time. She said her brother Russell was clearly against the war, and she noted he would never have a chance to join Veterans for Peace. Russell was 25, and Nina is a few years younger. Seven other Gold Star Families for Peace members spoke at the rally, including Amy Branham and Bill Mitchell.

Ann Wright is one of three diplomats who resigned their posts in protest of the war in Iraq. She spoke of how Daniel Ellsberg inspired her to not just resign, but speak against the war. Hadi Jawad spoke of the role of the Crawford Peace House as the hub of the movement to hold war criminals in Washington DC accountable. Not in Our Name activist, and Gulf War resister Jeff Paterson spoke in support of recent objector Army National Guard Spc. Katherine Jashinski and her courage to resist an unjust war that spawns torture and war crimes. Vietnam, Gulf and Iraq War veterans joined Gold Star Families for Peace members demanding an immediate end to the US occupation of Iraq.

Following the rally, balloons were released towards the Bush ranch. Each balloon bore a small photo of a US serviceperson killed in Iraq with the message "bring them home."