Little Bush Bullies Anti-War Leading Activist

Published on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 by Reuters

Peace Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Congress

by Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON - Calling for the impeachment of U.S. President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, Cindy Sheehan and 45 fellow Iraq war protesters were arrested on Monday after they refused to leave a U.S. lawmaker’s office and adjoining hallway, authorities said.

Before police escorted her away, Sheehan, who emerged as a leading peace activist after her son Casey was killed in Iraq in 2004, announced what she had earlier suggested — that she would be a candidate for Congress next year.

Sheehan said she would challenge House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat. Pelosi has refused calls to start impeachment of Bush and Cheney for what critics charge was misleading the United States into war.

The new Democratic-led Congress has been hit with approval ratings of less than 25 percent largely because of its failure to deliver on a campaign vow to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Sheehan and fellow protesters were led away in plastic handcuffs after they refused to heed repeated calls by Capitol Police to depart the office of Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, and a hallway outside his office.

“What do we want? Impeachment. When do we want it? Now,” Sheehan and others chanted while seated on the floor of Conyers’ office following her private meeting with him.

A spokeswoman for Capitol Police said the 46 protesters were being charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, and were likely to be released within hours after processing.

Conyers had raised the possibility of impeaching Bush more than a year ago while Republicans were in charge of Congress.

But Pelosi rejected the idea during last year’s campaign that saw Democrats win control of the House and Senate, saying she wanted to concentrate efforts on ending the war.

“The speaker is focused on changing course in Iraq by bringing our troops home safely and soon and refocusing our effort on protecting Americans from terrorism,” said Brendan Daly, Pelosi’s press secretary.

When Sheehan and others arrived on Capitol Hill they were confronted by a number of backers of the war. One held a sign reading, “Patriots want victory in Iraq.”

© Reuters 2006.

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97 Comments so far

1. L3ESmith July 24th, 2007 9:20 am

   This woman is inspiring.

2. sjc_1 July 24th, 2007 9:26 am

   I guess under the new order signed by the insano on July 17th, Cindy could be declared disruptive of the Iraq war policy and have her assets frozen by the Treasury department. What a fascist world this little mad man has woven and we just watch.

3. lillulu July 24th, 2007 9:43 am

   The thugs in charge of the U.S. government better not harm one hair on Cindy’s head.

   I thought bush said the mission was accomplished years ago. Pelosi says she wants to concentrate efforts to end the war. What war? It’s an occupation now. She’s just another Republican in Democratic clothing, a DINO — as most Democrats are.

   End the friggin’ occupation!

   By the way, how come the U.S. wasn’t concerned about how Kim Jong Il treats his people? They’re starving to death. Why didn’t the U.S. attack and occupy N Korea the way it did Iraq. The Iraqis by comparison were better off under Saddam; women were the best educated in the middle east. Now they have to sell their bodies in order to survive, thanks to King George and his greed.

4. Coyotita July 24th, 2007 9:48 am