Military Families Gather in Crawford, TX Sat Aug 23rd -"Bring Them Home"

[sonias]

Military Families Gather In Crawford To Tell George Bush, "Bring Them Home Now!"

(Crawford, TX )- On August 23, 2003 military families, veterans and other concerned citizens from the state will converge on the Crawford Football Field from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with one clear message, “ Enough is enough, bring the troops home now!”. Backed by the group Military Families Speak Out, protesters carrying signs bearing pictures of their loved ones in the military want to show George Bush the faces of the men and women he is putting in imminent danger day after day.

On May 1, 2003 George Bush announced that major fighting is over in Iraq. Since that day we have lost 55 soldiers to combat related injuries. On average, we are losing one American soldier a day. Over the weekend George Bush seemed "upbeat" about the progress that is being made in the region, while four more soldiers were being wounded in ambushes. For military families this is unacceptable. For anyone who claims to support our troops, this should be unacceptable.

Until this point, many family members have hesitated to speak out for fear of retribution on their soldiers and themselves. It is time to speak out because our troops are still dying and our government is still lying. Morale is at an all time low and our heroes feel like they've been forgotten. We are gathering in Crawford to let them know we do care and to let George Bush know we will not stop speaking out until every American soldier is brought home safely.

http://www.mfso.org/
-------------------
This item was posted to Austin indy media and I'm just reprinting the release for wider distribution. God bless these families.

Sonia

[proud patriot]

1. God Bless Them

Wishing for some media coverage of this .

[shance]

2. Kick,

and kick again**

[Kolesar]

3. We gotta meet these troops when they are back

Stir up some discontent. Show them the stories they have been missing.

[PennyLane]

4. I Sure Hope The Press Corp.......

.....follows this! My guess, they will run these folks out of town in a cattle hauler!:hi:

[reprehensor]

5. Smirking Chimp

This has also been posted over at Smirking Chimp. Hopefully there will be a good crowd!

[proud patriot]

6. We will be in solidarity in SF that day

He's to Bringing them home now :toast:

[Generic Other]

7. Good for the families

Don't suppose the awol sock monkey will want to use them for a photo op.

[sonias]

8. Press Release from Peace Action Texas about events in Crawford

Day of Celebration for PEACE!
Saturday, Aug. 23, in Crawford, Texas

-----------Several organizations have collaborated on a full day of events
this Saturday in Crawford, Texas, while George W. Bush is "ranching" nearby.
Please join us if you can -- the main rally is being sponsored by the
newly formed "Military Families Speak Out" -these people have the loudest
voice in the antiwar movement, which brings great hope to the movement.
Let's add our voices and make this rally a huge success! This is a day to
CELEBRATE the power of the people, while holding Bush & Co. accountable for
their actions.------------------

Schedule of EVENTS:
11 am Peace Action, Texas PRESS CONFERENCE calling for a foreign policy
that respects human rights and democracy - at the Crawford Peace House
12:30 pm Crawford Peace House PICNIC lunch* http://www.drums.org/cph/
1 pm Iraq Occupation Watch SLIDESHOW by Craig Adair, July Global Exchange
delegate to Iraq - at the Crawford Peace House (on Hwy. 185 at the RR
tracks)
3 pm “End the Occupation, Bring Them Home Now!” PROCESSION from Crawford
Peace House to rally with puppets, theatre, drums, signs▫
4 pm “BRING THEM HOME NOW!” RALLY (speakers, music, public speak-out) - at
the football stadium, sponsored by Military Families Speak Out
www.bringthemhomenow.com
8 pm Camp-out Party for Peace! at Tonkawa Park. Bring basic camping
supplies tents, and food (grills available)/be prepared to pay a small fee
to camp (≤$10). Other suggestions: bring guitars (and musicians!),
food, performance art, poetry or other party favors that go well at an
activists' campout
*some food will be available: bring snacks, side dishes, sodas, juices and
lots of water!
puppet, sign and banner making party Thursday, 6pm, Rhizome
Collective, 300 Allen St.,call Missy at [phone] for details on that, the
procession or the camp-out

Carpools/caravans are leaving Austin from the State parking lot at MLK and
San Jacinto at 9:00 am, 12:45 and 1:45 pm. Info: [email protected],
389-0215

For those coming all day: suggested to bring---lots of water, sunscreen,
hats/umbrellas/parasols

Directions to Crawford:
Take I-35 to Waco, exit Hwy. 6 and go west, then turn south/left on Hwy. 185
(aka as "Cedar Rock Parkway"); before you hit "downtown" Crawford, you'll
see Tonkawa Park on the right side of the road/the football stadium on the
left and a mile later on the right is the Crawford Peace House--right before
the railroad tracks.
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=M7tNO.p_0TqT&csz=Crawford%2C+TX&country=us

Statesman "travel" article about Crawford (for more info about the town):
http://www.statesman.com/travel/content/travel/crawford/

Debbie Russell
Peace Action, Texas
----------------------------------
Last month, the military assassinated - then displayed the bodies of - Saddam
Hussein's sons. What do you think?

"So, we've got Uday and Qusay. Now, how about the eapons-way of ass-may
estruction-day?"
*****Activity Director
"Now the Iraqis will love us, like they were supposed to in the first
place."
*****Station Engineer
"Super. Now, let's show those bodies to the economy and our problems are
over."
*****Systems Analyst


"I don't think ought to look at us with envy. It
really depends upon how Nation conducts itself in foreign policy. If
we're an arrogant nation, they'll...resent us. If we're a humble nation, but
strong, they'll welcome us." -George W. Bush, 10/03/2000

[sonias]

9. Story link for the rally

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/6606843.htm
BRINGING BACK THE TROOPS
CRAWFORD - Waving American flags and photographs of loved ones, military families joined peace activists Saturday to urge President Bush to bring U.S. troops home.

About 100 people gathered outside the Crawford football stadium -- just miles from Bush's ranch -- to decry the country's military presence in the Middle East.

"We want to get our loved ones home," said Candance Robison, whose husband, 1st Lt. Mike Robison, an Army engineer, has been deployed in Iraq since Easter.

more at link above including a few pictures.

Sonia

[BlueCollar]

10. Well done

Sorry I couldn't attend...

BC