Cindy Sheehan Speaks at UC Davis

Activist Cindy Sheehan spoke at Freeborn Hall on Monday evening, criticizing the Bush administration for its handling of the war in Iraq.

Holding signs that read, “Finish the war now … so our kids don’t have to in 20 years,” a group of protestors stood outside Freeborn Hall on Monday night before peace activist Cindy Sheehan took the stage.

Across from the protestors, several music performers sang peace songs such as “This Land is Your Land” while media cameras swarmed around them.

With both anti-war and pro-war groups present, tension filled the air before Sheehan spoke about bringing the troops home from Iraq.

After her son Casey’s death in 2004, Sheehan camped out in front of President Bush’s ranch demanding a private meeting with the president to ask him what noble cause her son died for. Since then, she has toured the country spreading her message of peace in Iraq to bring the military troops back home as soon as possible.

Sheehan began speaking at 7:30 p.m. when two men wearing ski masks ran to the front of the stage holding a banner reading, “Al-Qaeda Approved.” The unidentified men quickly ran out of the auditorium as audience members booed their actions and security guards chased after them.

A young man and woman also stood up against Sheehan holding a banner that read, “Thank you to Casey and all of our troops.”

Despite the interruptions, Sheehan began her talk by discussing how the holiday season will be a sad time for many families in the United States and Iraq due to the loss of loved ones in the war.

She went on to share her opinion of the war in Iraq, saying the Bush administration has done a careless job of directing the military, using unethical approaches throughout the war.

The Bush administration, in Sheehan’s opinion, has lied to Americans about the war. The administration has committed war crimes against the Iraqi people and hidden the number of dead soldiers and civilians, she said. She called Bush a terrorist for his actions against Iraq.

“Peace is a strength that we need to use,” she said. “I’m not saying these problems are easy, but they won’t be solved with our military presence.”

Discussing her opposition to the military presence in Iraq, Sheehan said she does not support any American enlisting in the army under the current conditions. The military is “holding our kids hostage” by making it difficult for soldiers to come back home once they have enlisted, she said.

“I love my country,” she said. “I want my country to lead the nation peacefully. I don’t want other countries to be afraid of us, and I know we have the capability of doing this without violence.”

Sheehan closed her speech by saying every person whom the U.S. military kills only leads to the spawning of new enemies for America’s children and grandchildren. She said she hopes Bush will recognize this and pull the military troops out of a war that is a “mistake.”

Her speech was met with continuous applause and several standing ovations.

Present were the event’s sponsors, including the Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry, the Women’s Resources and Research Center, Davis Peace Coalition, Code Pink: Women for Peace and the Davis Religious Community for Sanctuary.

UC Davis graduate student Jeremiah Jenne, from the UUCM, explained why his group chose to support Sheehan with her mission.

“We support social activism,” he said. “We hope we can get students talking about what’s going on, whether they are anti-war or pro-war. We want all voices represented.”

UC Davis senior Alan Serrano, a political science major, showed support for Sheehan’s message.

“I think it’s great that Cindy is willing to speak out and ask the hard questions,” he said. “I think she is getting students to look at what’s going on in a different light.”

On the opposing side, Ramona Hechtl, a 26-year-old Desert Storm veteran, spoke out against Sheehan’s request to bring the troops home.

“I don’t understand Cindy. She belittles the spirit and morale of our troops,” she said, adding that Sheehan is a “puppet” who should feel disappointed about her actions.

Sheehan’s book Not One More Mother’s Child will be released this week in bookstores for those interested in learning more about her message.

By LAUREN BECKER / Aggie News Writer

Posted 11/23/2005

LAUREN BECKER can be reached at campus@californiaaggie.com.