CINDY Sheehan, the well-known anti-war activist and the mother of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq, is in Ireland this week on the eve of the general election at the request of Irish anti-war groups.
As the founder of a not for profit peace organization, Sheehan, who spoke warmly of her Irish American heritage during her previous visit to Ireland in 2005, is prevented by U.S. law from endorsing a particular political party. However it is thought that she will make her strong opposition to the Iraq war public in a list of high level speaking engagements.
Sheehan has told the press that her son’s death in Iraq compelled her to speak out against the five year old war. Casey Sheehan, her then 24-year-old son, was killed in Baghdad when his unit was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire on April 4, 2004.
Since then Cindy Sheehan has attracted international attention for her extended demonstration at a peace camp she erected near to President Bush’s Texas ranch, garnering both support and criticism.
Asked why she was visiting Ireland on the eve of the general election, she told the Irish Voice, “I was in Amsterdam for a conference, and it is just a coincidence that I will be there on the eve of the election, but I’m glad of the opportunity to speak.”
Sheehan claimed her anti-war message is resonating strongly with the Irish public. “I was well received the last time I visited and of course I’ve been invited back! The majority of the Irish people don’t support the occupation in Iraq.”
Sheehan also addressed the continuing controversy over the use of Shannon airport as a U.S. military stopover. “I don’t believe that the Irish government should be supporting my government in any way in this illegal and immoral occupation. I think it is a war crime.”
Responding to critics of her anti-war stance, Sheehan said, “I wish I didn’t have to live with the pain of burying my oldest child every second of my life. I think everyone needs to share in this sacrifice and realize that war is painful and then just maybe we won’t be so quick to support any war in the future. Even though I have faced an unimaginable loss, what has come out of it is really seeing that change is possible.”
Sheehan claimed she was heartened by the latest national polls, which clearly indicate that the tide of public opinion is turning against the war. “The polls show only 24% of the U.S. still supports the war and only 28% approve of George Bush’s job performance,” she added.
Tiffany Byrne, Sheehan’s spokesperson at the U.S. based anti-war group Gold Star Families For Peace, added, “Since we’re a non profit organization we can’t endorse any political parties or candidates. But we do feel that our anti-war message is getting across.
“To date the Irish government has indirectly supported the Bush administration, when most people in both nations don’t actually support the occupation of Iraq. Cindy went to Ireland relatively soon after her son Casey was killed in Iraq – and because her family is Irish on both sides it had a very special meaning to her, just being in a country that had a deeper sense of roots and family.
“She has given her whole life to pursuing peace and bringing the troops home.”
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