Camp Casey, Crawford, Texas facts for kids
Camp Casey was the name given to a protest camp in 2005. It was set up outside the ranch of US President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas. The camp was named after Casey Sheehan, a soldier who died in the Iraq War.
The protest began when Cindy Sheehan, Casey's mother, arrived in Crawford. She was supported by Veterans for Peace members. Cindy Sheehan wanted to meet President Bush again. She hoped to get an explanation for why her son died.
When she was not granted a meeting, she decided to stay. She set up a tent by the road. She planned to stay for five weeks, or until she met the President. She also promised to return every time President Bush visited Crawford.
Soon, other anti-Iraq War activists joined her. They included members of Gold Star Families for Peace. They camped on public land near the road. Later, a local property owner offered them a place to stay. This new spot became known as "Camp Casey II." About two weeks after Camp Casey started, other people who supported the war set up their own camp nearby.
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Camp Casey: A Protest for Peace
Camp Casey became a symbol of protest against the Iraq War. It showed how some people felt about the war. The camp drew attention from all over the country.
Why Did Camp Casey Start?
The main reason for Camp Casey was Cindy Sheehan's desire for answers. Her son, Casey, had died in the Iraq War. She felt President Bush had not explained the reasons for the war well enough. She wanted to know the "noble cause" for which her son had died.
Cindy Sheehan's protest quickly grew. Many people who also questioned the war joined her. They wanted their voices to be heard by the President.
Who Supported Camp Casey?
Many groups and individuals supported the activists at Camp Casey. One important group was Veterans for Peace. Its members helped set up the camp. They also created a special memorial called Arlington West. This display had hundreds of white crosses. Each cross represented a US soldier who had died in Iraq.
The website MoveOn.org also showed support. They gathered over 250,000 comments from people. Many of these comments were put into a newspaper advertisement. This ad supported Cindy Sheehan and her efforts.
A spokesperson from MoveOn.org said that Cindy Sheehan had become a symbol. She represented millions of Americans who wanted answers about the Iraq War. More and more families began to stand with her.
Other groups also traveled to Texas to join the protest. The Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) sent their field director, Sherry Bohlen. She compared Cindy Sheehan to Rosa Parks. Just as Rosa Parks refused to leave a bus, Cindy Sheehan refused to leave the roadside. Bohlen felt Cindy was sparking the anti-war movement.
Cindy Sheehan also started writing a blog. She shared her experiences at Camp Casey. She also wrote about her thoughts on the Iraq War. Her blog was featured on popular websites like The Huffington Post.
Voices of Other Parents
Many parents of soldiers killed in Iraq came to Camp Casey. They wanted to support Cindy Sheehan.
- Jane and Jim Bright, parents of Sgt. Evan Ashcroft, attended a vigil. They said their son's memory would not be lost. They also said their son was a hero.
- Celeste Zappala, mother of Sgt. Sherwood Baker, met with Sheehan. She later helped start Gold Star Families for Peace.
- Becky Lourey, a Minnesota State Senator, also came. Her son, Matthew Lourey, was a helicopter pilot who died in Iraq. She felt President Bush was too isolated from the people affected by his decisions.
- Lynn Bradach, mother of Cpl. Travis Bradach-Nall, traveled from Oregon. She believed it was important to stand up for what you believe in.
- Karen Meredith, whose son Lt. Ken Ballard died in Iraq, defended Sheehan. She said many people felt the same way as Cindy. They wanted to know the "noble cause" of the war.
However, not all military families agreed with the protest.
- Linda Ryan, mother of Cpl. Marc T. Ryan, felt Sheehan was hurting many people. She believed Sheehan was speaking about her son without knowing his story.
- Matt and Toni Matula asked for their son's cross to be removed from the memorial. They did not want his name used in an anti-war protest.
- Natalie Healy, mother of a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan, organized a counter-rally. She wanted to show support for the troops.
- Gary Qualls, whose son died in Iraq, started "Fort Qualls." This camp was set up to counter Camp Casey. He often removed his son's cross from the Arlington West display.
Other Camps Across America
The idea of Camp Casey spread across the United States. Many other "peace camps" were set up. These camps showed support for the Sheehan family. They were sometimes named after local soldiers who had died overseas. The first one outside Crawford was in Chico, California.
Key Moments at Camp Casey
The protest at Camp Casey lasted for several weeks. Here are some important events that happened:
- August 6, 2005: Cindy Sheehan started her protest. She set up a small tent near President Bush's ranch. She wanted a meeting with the President.
- August 6, 2005: White House officials met briefly with Cindy Sheehan. She later called the meeting "pointless."
- August 8, 2005: The media started calling the protest site "Camp Casey."
- August 10, 2005: President Bush held a press conference. He mentioned that Sheehan had a right to her views.
- August 11, 2005: Cindy Sheehan wrote an open letter to President Bush. She again asked about the "noble cause" of the war.
- August 12, 2005: Gold Star Families for Peace aired a TV commercial featuring Cindy Sheehan. Hundreds of supporters, including actor Viggo Mortensen, visited Camp Casey.
- August 12, 2005: Veterans for Peace installed Arlington West. This memorial had nearly 1,000 white crosses for fallen soldiers.
- August 12, 2005: President Bush's motorcade passed near the camp. Cindy Sheehan held a sign asking why he met with donors but not her.
- August 13, 2005: A counter-protest took place. Over 250 people shouted pro-Bush slogans.
- August 15, 2005: A pickup truck drove through the Arlington West memorial. It damaged several hundred crosses. The driver was later arrested.
- August 16, 2005: Cindy Sheehan moved her camp closer to the Bush ranch. A supporter offered her land for "Camp Casey II."
- August 17, 2005: More than 1,600 candlelight vigils were held across the US. These vigils supported Sheehan.
- August 18, 2005: Cindy Sheehan left Crawford to see her sick mother. She promised to return.
- August 20, 2005: President Bush began a campaign to defend the Iraq war. He spoke to military groups in Utah and Idaho.
- August 20, 2005: Supporters of the war set up "Fort Qualls" nearby.
- August 21, 2005: Folk singer Joan Baez visited and performed at Camp Casey.
- August 22, 2005: Motorcycle clubs rode by to support the pro-Bush camp. Actress Margot Kidder visited Camp Casey.
- August 23, 2005: President Bush stated his opposition to Sheehan's call for troops to leave Iraq immediately.
- August 24, 2005: President Bush explained his reasons for the war. He said an immediate withdrawal would make terrorists stronger.
- August 25, 2005: Sheehan announced plans for a national bus tour to Washington, D.C.
- August 27, 2005: Thousands of pro-Bush supporters rallied in Crawford.
- August 28, 2005: Actor Martin Sheen visited and spoke at Camp Casey II. Rev. Al Sharpton also visited.
- August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana.
- August 30, 2005: President Bush ended his vacation early. He returned to focus on hurricane relief efforts.
