Photos from Camp Casey, Steve Earl, and Pro-War Protesters

Crawford, Texas (Sunday, August 21, 2005):

There are now about 300 “Meet with Cindy!” supporters spread across three separate vigil locations: the Crawford Peace House in the center of Crawford, the original Camp Casey, and now Camp Casey II—complete with a massive event tent. Although folks continue to stream in, a overwhelming crush of weekend supporters did not materialize probably due to Cindy Sheehan’s temporary absence and the resulting media “downspin.”

Regional media yesterday focused on local Crawford businessmen who organized a small rally downtown to proclaim, “God Bless American, God Bless President Bush, and God Bless Our Troops.” A couple dozen Crawford residents gathered next to the Yellow Rose of Texas, home of all souvenirs related to George W and Laura Bush, for the small rally. Bill Johnson, owner of the Yellow Rose, led the rally in support of Bush’s endless war while perched on a house. At his side was his daughter, a team-roping champ, on her own horse. The empty lot next to the souvenir shop has been transformed into “Fort Qualls”—a local “fallen hero” of the Iraq War -- Marine LCPL. Louis W. Qualls was killed in Fallujah on November 14, 2004. Needless to say, this is the anti-Camp Casey.

A motorcycle rally of about 100 bikers rolled into town before noon primarily to show opposition to Cindy supporters. Media reports consistently and incorrectly numbered this gathering at over 300. Even among the bikers, there were clear expressions of sympathy for the loss of the Gold Star Families for Peace present. The bikers expressed that the lessons of Vietnam should be learned. However, is it the question of “a war lost due to lack of support,” or “how many more troops will die in an unjust war based on deception?”

Back at Camp Casey II that evening, Steve Earle, progressive country singer/songwriter performed under the big white tent. Allison Moorer, also an amazing performer, joined Steve for a song—Allison and Steve got married only ten days ago in Nashville. The evening closed with everyone on there feet singing to the evening with the classic “The Revolution Starts Now”