Iraq War Watch: Protesters Arrested Near Bush’s Ranch

A no parking sign is shown in front of the camp of anti-war protestors Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005, in Crawford, Texas. Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan, who’s son died in Iraq, drew thousands to her 26-day war protest near President Bush’s Crawford ranch this summer and plans to return for Thanksgiving this week. The camp is on the same 1-acre lot that a sympathetic landowner let the group use this summer. McLennan County commissioners created and approved new ordinances, which prohibit parking on parts of 14 roads near President Bush’s ranch.

The ASSociated Press has Protesters Arrested Near Bush’s Ranch

A dozen war protesters were arrested Wednesday for setting up camp near President Bush’s ranch in defiance of new local bans on roadside camping and parking.

About four hours after the group pitched six tents and huddled in sleeping bags and blankets, McLennan County sheriff’s deputies arrested them for criminal trespassing.

Another dozen or so demonstrators left the public right of way after deputies warned them they would be arrested.

The protest was set to coincide with Bush’s Thanksgiving ranch visit.

Cindy Sheehan is on another family emergency and will arrive some time later in the week.

Protester Dede Miller, sister of peace activist Cindy Sheehan, sits at the site of the original ‘Camp Casey’ near President Bush’s ranch on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005 in Crawford, Texas. More than a dozen war protesters returned to a roadside near President Bush’s ranch before dawn Wednesday, defying two new local bans on roadside camping and parking.

“We are proud to be here,” Dede Miller, Sheehan’s sister, said hours before her arrest as she huddled in a blanket at the campsite. “This is just so important. What we did in August really moved us forward, and this is just a continuation of it.”

In August, hundreds of demonstrators camped off the road during a 26-day protest led by Sheehan, whose 24-year-old soldier son Casey was killed in Iraq last year. But a month later, county commissioners banned camping in any county ditch and parking within 7 miles of the ranch, citing safety and traffic congestion issues.

Stay tuned for more Cindy Sheehan drama………