Hope and Inspiration at the World Social Forum

Hope and Inspiration at the World Social Forum
By Mike Rhodes

Caracas, Venezuela - Venezuela president Hugo Chavez introduced U.S. anti war activist Cindy Sheehan and called her “Ms. Hope” at a massive rally held during the sixth World Social Forum. By contrast, U.S. president George Bush was referred to by Chavez as Mr. Danger. Sheehan spoke the next day at an event titled “Women Say No To War” with Code Pink/Global Exchange co-founder Medea Benjamin.

Sheehan, who lost her son in Iraq, said “George Bush is illegitimate and should be evicted. Let’s not talk about impeachment, he was never elected. After he is impeached he should be tried for war crimes. Sheehan said that sometimes comments like these have lead people to question her patriotism. In response, she said that “patriots fight against an occupying force” and asked what the audience would do if a foreign force had invaded and occupied their country?

“I love my country,” Sheehan declared, but “I love human beings of all countries even more.” She said that patriotism is being used to drive the U.S. to war, which is creating incredible wealth for a few corporations, like oil companies, who are profiting from the war. Sheehan argued that we need to reclaim patriotism or perhaps change the word “Patriot” to “Matriot.” “We need a matriarchal society that is more nurturing and fostering of life.”

In the question and answer period Sheehan was asked “would you please run for president.” While declining the opportunity to run for president she did say she was considering running for senator in California against Diane Feinstein. The crowd roared their approval and the first $20,000 for the campaign was collected. Unfortunately, at an exchange rate of $2,144 (Venezuelan dollars) to $1 US, more money will need to be raised before a viable campaign to run Sheehan for the senate is a reality. If Sheehan runs, she will run as a Democrat.

Media Benjamin showed a short film on the women’s peace movement in the US and Cindy’s protest outside president Bush’s ranch in August, 2005. Code Pink is organizing protests at US embassies all over the world to protest the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. These protests will be held on March 8, 2006 - International Women’s Day.

For more information, go to http://www.codepinkalert.org or http://www.womansaynotowar.org