Images from CodePink Phoenix at El Mirage

Thanks to Leona for providing these images.

Pro Bush Supporters

Cindy and vets hold morning press conference

Photo by Jeff Paterson. Cindy Sheehan comforts Steve DeFord, Gold Star father. Copywrite 2005. More photos from Sunday are available here.

Sharpton Driver Arrested for Speeding

This artical was retracted from the Associated Press but was still available on WashingtonPost.com (as of 9:30 Phoenix time). We are hearing a different list of events from Jarrett and as we get more information we will relay it you here.


The Associated Press
Monday, August 29, 2005; 5:46 PM

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- A car carrying the Rev. Al Sharpton led sheriff's deputies on a nine-mile chase at speeds up to 110 mph before state troopers stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver, authorities said.

The civil rights activist called the sheriff's report "ludicrous" and accused the Ellis County officers of "embellishing the story."


"That nine-mile chase is news to me," Sharpton told The Associated Press. "All I know is that the police pulled us over because they wanted to talk to the driver about speeding."

Chief Deputy Charles Sullins said driver Jarrett B. Maupin, 43, was rushing Sharpton to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport after Sharpton visited anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on Sunday at her camp outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford.

Because the 2005 Lincoln was rented to Maupin, of Phoenix, sheriff's deputies impounded the car. Maupin posted a $1,000 bond on charges of evading arrest with a vehicle and reckless driving, authorities said.

The car carrying Sharpton and two other passengers was clocked doing 110 mph in a 65 mph zone on the interstate south of Dallas, Sullins said.

He said the driver ignored deputies' attempts to stop it and weaved in and out of traffic before state troopers were able to get in front of the car.

Sharpton caught a lift from a passing driver and made his scheduled flight to New York.

Ernie interviews people at El Mirage

8/29 West Valley Protest Photos

Photos provided by Debi in Mesa

Ernie explains the layout at El Mirage

Ernie in El Mirage with Code Pink

The Round Table Wrap Up

Great to hear Sweet Kim made it back safely...Dot and I were concerned...I miss you terribly...all of you.

Mari, Bily, Kim, Jesse, Fish, James, Mary Ellen, Dot and Andrew.

Before James goes blabbering on about it...yes it is true, the defiant one (your humble orator and instigator in chief) did traffic duty yesterday, greeting and sending off van-loads of protestors and visitors alike with laughs and smiles while coordinating the vehicular traffic of an ABC camera crew, two wedding parties and the near arrest of a Bush infultrator.

Strange flyers appeared on many of the tables yesterday evening...written upon them were what appeared to be testimonial statements such as:"I (name here) am in league with Osama bin Laden and am a member of Al Quaida."

Yeah...right! In their sick little Neocon dreams...

This is what the WAY FAR right thinks we believe. Neocon operatives did manage to distribute their ridiculous propaganda, but we quickly disposed of the materials we could find.

Dot and I reluctantly packed our gear as person after person kept coming by our table with best wishes and hugs for all...even Whitney had great big hugs for both me and Dot and a message for all of us..."Y'all are so cool. Thank you for all of your help." Many tears were cried and you all have GREAT BIG HUGS coming to you in D.C. from many admirers and those who participated in our Round Table discussions. (wink wink...nudge nudge...say no MORE!)

Lokken was so exhausted from her two weeks of activism, she fell asleep sitting up in the car on the way to Crawford from Camp Casey II!

Dot and I stopped by the Peace House to drop off the phone and grab some water for the road, and as we looked around the little tent, we saw two seats were available at the front table. We sat and had a smoke and drank a couple of bottles of water, reminiscing about all of the wonderful and historic moments we have all shared and had been blessed to bear witness to...and then it dawned on me...

Dot and I realized we were sitting in the exact spot we were the night we met in Crawford. As Dot and I sat in that very spot on that fateful Friday night, Mari, Bily and Kim came literally walking into our lives. As we then caravaned out to Camp Casey II and met Fish, Jesse, Mary Ellen and Andrew and then later James...as we discussed last night, we could not feel more blessed in getting to know you all.

The mystery and beauty of why seemingly random things happen for a reason...and we are so grateful for all of the 'happy accidents' and incidents that have brought us all together forming bonds of friendship, hope and love between all of us who support this great and noble cause.

Though Casey Sheehan died for greed, the current administration's lust for natural resources and strategic geographical location we who have witnessed the awakening of America can say with proud voices and conviction that for us...Casey Sheehan's life and death have profound nobility and meaning.

He and his mother Cindy have brought us all together in forging a new American Family...our family...our family of passionate, genuine, talented, generous, like-minded, vastly individual, caring people who will continue to reach out and fight for that which we all hold so dear...

The restoration of our beloved America and Her people and in reaching out to all of humanity to bring the world a just and lasting peace.

With the deepest love, admiration and respect I salute the Round Table Warriors for Peace and all who have participated in the beginning of this great movement of conscience whether in body or in spirit or both.

Cindy is the Dreamer...it is now up to all of us to make that dream a reality for all.

Namaste to all of my Brethren...I bow to your inner light.

Peace.

Ian