Inna Inic
246 E. Coast Dr.
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
3/9/1996
(727) 458-1311
University of Miami
Criminal Justice
Cindy Sheehan is known for her bravery for being an anti-war activist. She lost her son during the war action in Iraq and she fought hard to stop the war against Iraq and to save the lives of others being put in danger. She was arrested many times but she never gave up.
Cindy Sheehan states she initially questioned the urgency of the invasion of Iraq but did not become active in the antiwar effort until after her son’s death. Sheehan and other military families met with United States President George W. Bush in June 2004 at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, Washington, about three months after her son’s death. In a June 24, 2004, interview with the Vacaville Reporter, published soon after the meeting, she stated, “We haven’t been happy with the way the war has been handled. The president has changed his reasons for being over there every time a reason is proven false or an objective reached.” She also stated that President Bush was “sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis. I know [he] feels pain for our loss. And I know he’s a man of God.”
Sheehan gave another interview on October 4, 2004, stating that she did not understand the reasons for the Iraq invasion and never thought that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States. She further stated that her son’s death had compelled her to speak out against the war.
Sheehan continued to campaign against the Iraq war even if granted a meeting with Bush. She also announced the Bring Them Home Now Tour, to depart on September 1 and arrive in Washington, D.C., on September 24 for three days of demonstrations. The tour, which covered 42 cities in 26 states, was publicized by the Mintwood Media Collective, and garnered international media coverage. On the third day, Sheehan and about 370 other antiwar activists were arrested for demonstrating on the White House sidewalk. Sheehan was arrested with 60 others at the White House protesting President Obama’s continuation of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sheehan attracted international attention in early August 2005, when she traveled to President Bush’s Prairie Chapel Ranch, just outside Crawford, Texas, demanding a second meeting with the President. She told members of Veterans for Peace, “I’m gonna say, ‘And you tell me, what the noble cause is that my son died for.’ And if he even starts to say freedom and democracy, I’m gonna say. You tell me the truth. You tell me that my son died for oil. You tell me that my son died to make your friends rich…. You tell me that, you don’t tell me my son died for freedom and democracy.” She also vowed not to pay her federal income tax for 2004 because that was the year her son was killed.
Cindy became a member of the Peace and Freedom Party still doing what she is fighting for; trying to save innocent lives that are risking their own for the freedom of all. She is a hero to many and brought peace to many families. She believes that one person can make a difference and she has proved many wrong.
