An Observer's report on the Cindy Sheehan Vigil in Orange

This article was optimized and published on page 1 in the Fullerton Observer. One can view this edition visiting the Online Fullerton Observer at:

http://www.fullertonobserver.com/artman/uploads/sept_1_2005_observer_small.pdf

This was a report that I wrote and submitted to the Fullerton Observer.

On Wednesday August 17th evening, over 200 Fullerton and North and Central Orange County citizens gathered around the Orange circle and participated in the nationwide vigil for Cindy Sheehan. The vigil was held to remind people the terrible price of war.

Cindy Sheehan is the grieving mother whose son, Casey, was killed after being in Iraq for only five days. Sheehan has been sitting outside President Bush's ranch patiently waiting and not leaving until President Bush meets and discusses the occupation.

The evening started with the weekly anti-war protest demonstration headed by Orange County chapter of Code Pink. About 25 Code Pink members were opposed by a handful of Bush supporters across the circle. Interspersed the playing of a percussionist, many motorists flashed peace signs and honked in support of the anti-war protesters making the Orange Circle through-way a cacophony of dissent.

At 7:30PM, the peaceful demonstration grew to over 200 candle-holding individuals and filled the entire circumference of the inside park. A half hour of silence was observed. Signs, such as "Meet with Cindy", "Bring Our Children Home" and "Stop the War" were held during the quiet to relay the vigil's message.

The somber vigil ended when participants asked loudly, "What does democracy look like" and responding in chant, "THIS is what democracy looks like!"