"On Saturday, the population of Crawford is expected to swell by thousands. At Camp Casey, entertainment on the stage is planned all day. People are being encouraged to come to that location instead of Camp Casey I.
The intense heat and the possibility of clashes between pro-war and anti-war supporters may make Saturday a dangerous day. Caution is being urged and people are instructed to keep their tempers at bay."-from the post on The Lone Star Iconoclast, with photos, Friday evening. KWTX Channel 10 in Waco/Temple/Killeen
has "Authorities Brace For A Perfect Storm In Crawford (with video): The population of Crawford could increase tenfold this weekend as anti-war and pro-Bush protesters stream into town for vigils and rallies.
As many as 7,000 demonstrators could gather in and around the town of about 700 people near the President’s Central Texas ranch, and local authorities spent the day Friday making plans to deal with the crowds and the potential for problems.
The combination of high summer temperatures and high emotions could lead to confrontations that authorities hope to defuse quickly.
Momentum for the weekend of demonstrations both for and against the war and the President’s policy on Iraq has been building ever since Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif. began what at first was a quiet vigil along a rural roadside, demanding a meeting with the President about the death of her son Casey, 24, a 1st Cavalry Division soldier who was killed in 2004 in Iraq.
Sheehan’s protest quickly attracted the attention of the White House press corps and within days was receiving national and international attention and generating local and national controversy.
Other anti-war demonstrators joined Sheehan’s vigil at “Camp Casey” while Bush supporters countered by erecting their own camp in downtown Crawford.
Dubbed “Fort Qualls,” it is named in honor of Temple Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Qualls, who died in action in Iraq.
Sheehan drew even more fire from Bush supporters when she appeared in a TV spot that aired on commercial and cable stations in the Central Texas market.
The group Gold Star Families for Peace paid for the ad time and also placed spots earlier this week on stations in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho, where the President made speeches defending the war and the need to keep U.S. troops in Iraq until conditions stabilize.
The group spent $67,000 this week to run the ad nationally on CNN and the Fox News Channel
Bush supporters, in response, produced their own ad this week featuring Louis Qualls’ father Gary, who accuses Sheehan of cruelty and challenges her to a debate.
Sheehan’s protest has attracted some high visibility supporters including folksinger Joan Baez and rebel musician Steve Earle.
The Rev. Al Sharpton will reportedly visit Camp Casey this weekend."
No comments:
Post a Comment