Photos: M. Benjamin & C. Sheehan busted for delivering petition to Bolton

[paineinthearse]

The photos at - http://news.yahoo.com/photos/sm/events/ts/081005sheehanvigil/p:1 - are in random order. I've done my best to put them into some kind of logical sequence.

[paineinthearse]

1. State Department calls protest a P.R. stunt

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0610,ferguson,72424,2.html

Cindy Sheehan Arrested at the U.S. Mission to the U.N.
State Department calls protest a P.R. stunt

by Sarah Ferguson
March 6th, 2006 5:38 PM

Cindy Sheehan took another bust for the anti-war cause Monday. She was cuffed and forcefully dragged away from the plaza in front of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, where she had marched with a delegation of Iraqi women in hopes of delivering a petition to demand the immediate withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign forces from Iraq.
Sheehan and members of the protest group Code Pink were charged with criminal tresspass for refusing to leave the plaza of the private office building at 140 East 45th Street, where the U.S. Mission, and the offices of Ambassador John Bolton, are temporarily housed. "It's private property," said one NYPD officer on the scene. "If security or the State Department officials don't want to let them inside, it's their call."

Activists with Code Pink, who said they had notified police of the demonstration, said they were shocked that they were not allowed to deliver the petition. "A detective called me before and I told him exactly what we were planning to do and that we'd be marching from the United Nations on the sidewalk, and he said it would be fine," said spokesperson Andrea Buffa. Instead, when the march got within shouting distance of the U.S. Mission, cops tried to corral the crowd of about 50 demonstrators into a protest area across the street. Sheehan and the other activists pressed forward, determined to deliver the petition to the offices of Ambassador Bolton. "We come in peace!" Sheehan and the other women shouted. "We're coming in peace with a peace plan." Police then moved in and forced the media camera crews and demonstrators away from the building and onto the sidewalk, about 30 feet from the door.

"Is this what you do here? Is this the kind of democracy you're bringing to Iraq?" demanded Sureya Sayadi, a Kurdish woman displaced from her hometown in Kirkuk, who complained that she'd been shoved aside by a police officer. While the rest of the group was being forced out, Sheehan and three other Code Pinkers sat down in front of the office building's revolving doors and refused to budge. "This is our delegation . and they have no right to keep us out of it," Sheehan proclaimed, her arms locked to those of the demonstrators on either side of her. After about 15 minutes, Sheehan and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin got up and approached the media. "All we want to do is deliver a piece of paper, and no one will come down," Benjamin shouted, waving the petition, which calls on the UN to send an international peacekeeping force to help restore order in Iraq. It has been signed by more than 72,000 people across the world.

"We have meetings in Washington with Congress tomorrow and we do not want to be arrested," said Benjamin, who is touring with Sheehan and the delegation of Iraqi women. "It is absolutely absurd that they will not accept a piece of paper. We do not want to be arrested, but we are sick and tired of a governemnt will not listen to us." As Sheehan began loudly reading out the demands of the petition, printed on a large pink and white banner, three officers surrounded her and pulled the banner from her hand. She didn't let go willingly and at one point was rolled onto the ground with her shirt over her head as police strapped plastic cuffs around her wrists. But the peace mom bore a smile as she was led into the arrest van with the three other Code Pinkers. "My son was killed in Iraq," she shouted before the doors slammed shut in front of her face. "Shame!" the demonstrators chimed in.

State Deparment officials dismissed the whole protest as a media stunt.
"We were absolutley willing to meet with them," said Richard Grenell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Mission. "When the group showed up, we told them that an individual or small group of individuals could come up. . . . I came down and invited them in. But they weren't interested in coming in and having a rational discussion. They wanted a media event downstairs for the cameras."

more......

[adigal]

3. Sheehan needs to stop smiling when she's arrested

it makes her look like she is not serious. I KNOW she is serious, and the smile may be a nervous one, but it takes the attention away from how absurd it is to arrest her by letting people focus on a Gold Star Mother being dragged away grinning.

I respect her greatly, but think she needs some advice on how to be most effective.

[KansDem]

5. Smiling? Or grimacing?

She appears to be 'cuffed while being dragged around. I would think that would hurt a little.

[adigal]

29. Yeah, I know, they do seem to be dragging her

but it really looks like she is smiling, like this is a joke or something. And I know it is NOT a joke to her, so I just don't get it.

[meganmonkey]

40. I was grinning from ear to ear when I got arrested

at the WH last fall. It's really hard not to. There are hundreds of people cheering for you, and, at least for me, the motivating force for civil disobedience comes from love, not anger, and love makes you smile whether you want to or not.

Peace.

[madokie]

41. And love for your country makes you a patriot. nothing to not smile about

[Media_Lies_Daily]

6. The message to me is that nothing they do can stop her from.....

...continuing to protest. I say let her smile. She's earned at least that right.

[Karenina]

8. WHERE WERE YOU???

It REALLY CHAPS MY ASS when folks sitting behind a keyboard AS AM I, decide they should "weigh in" on what someone who has PUT HER BUTT ON THE LINE "should or shouldn't" do. Had she worn a proper string of pearls, would THAT make you happy?

[adigal]

28. Don't get on your high horse - lose the CAPS

I think she hurts her cause when she gets carted off and she is smiling, like it is not a serious violation of her rights as a mother and an American.

And I do my share, thanks for asking.

[Pachamama]

32. Ghandi and MLK also smiled when they were carted off by police & arrested.

Go back and check old news reels and documentaries of their peaceful and non-violent protests....They always smiled as they were arrested and taken away.

I don't think it ever hurt their cause...do you? :shrug: Would you rather have photos of her looking violent and angry? :eyes:

[hippywife]

38. I think it's great that she smiles.

I would smile to knowing that everytime they arrest her and try to silence her they prove what tyrants they really are. They prover her point for her. Yes, I would be smiling, too!

[Karenina]

45. "Her" cause...

which has NOTHING to do with your cause as you sit on your PHAT ASS, judging her every move... Watch this if you dare.

http://videosift.com/story.php?id=207

[Just Me]

15. I agree. I love that she smiles as they carry her away!!!!

It gives me comfort because that smile says to me, she IS being effective!!!!

[Just Me]

20. This was intended to be in response to Media_Lies_Daily post. n/t

[kick_them_hard]

17. Agreed, Adigal

If Cindy Sheehan wants more publicity and empathy, sympathy, she shouldnt be laughing/smiling. To me it looks like a joke getting arrested.... Like she planned it and the plan worked. Thats why alot of people dont take Ciney Sheehan seriously.

[Pachamama]

33. Umm...looks more like "grimacing" in discomfort from her hands being tied

behind her back with plastic ties and being shoved than "smiling"....

Also, please keep in mind that Ghandi and Martin Luther King while practicing non-violent and peaceful protest always were smiling as they were taken away....and I think they were taken seriously. (and if they weren't initially, they were later).

[kick_them_hard]

35. Smiling...OK

but laughing? I dont recall seeing a pic of MLK or Ghandi laughing while being taken away. To me it shows to other people that dont know her that much, that she is a loon, period

[Pachamama]

36. Do me a favor: Have your picture laughing out loud - Then a picture of you

Shouting out load or grimacing when someone twists your arm as you are being pushed hard into the back of a police car. Maybe take multiple pictures. Then, take all those photos mixed up and pick out the ones where you were laughing versus when someone is pushing you and it hurts or your shouting.

Bet you can't pick it out just looking at a photo.

Finally, I have to tell you that Cindy Sheehan is no loon and the only people who think that are ones who formed that opinion of her regardless and who simply disagree with her position on the War and use it to attack her politics.

[redacted]

7. Condi should be ashamed that her people would call this a "media stunt"

I met her while she was at Stanford, and I just don't understand what went wrong with her since then.

[az chela]

11. Cindy did not want to be arrested

She is scheduled to be in DC tomorrow with the ladies from Iraq.And this is what we show the women from Iraq????Land of the free???Looks like those days are gone!!!!

[annabanana]

12. This is a LIE

"We were absolutely willing to meet with them," said Richard Grenell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Mission. "When the group showed up, we told them that an individual or small group of individuals could come up. . . . I came down and invited them in."

A participant on Randi's show (Malloy presiding) just gave the real story. about 4 of them went up to the door and were denied admission...

[paineinthearse]

13. Time to do some investigation

What is Richard A. Grenell's background?

http://foia.state.gov/Phonebook/KOH/key_country_all_print.asp

United States

USUN (NEW YORK) (M) Address: 140 East 45th St., New York, NY 10017; Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; Workweek: M-F 8:30-5:30; Website: www.un.int/usa/

Officer Name
DCM Amb. Anne W. Patterson
POL Reed Fendrick
POL/ECO Lucy Tamlyn
CON Russell Graham
MGT David Buss
DAO Joseph Contarino III
FMO John E. Singler
GSO Thomas Gallo
IMO Peter Jensen
IPO Fred Murriel
ISO Warren A. Forrest
ISSO Warren A. Forrest
PAO Richard A. Grenell
RSO JoAnn Moore

[paineinthearse]

14. Richard A. Grenell is connected to TITAN

http://www.titan.com/investor/press-releases/press_releases_display_2004.html?id=64&select=6

Titan Names Richard Grenell Vice President of Corporate Communications

SAN DIEGO, CA -- October 26, 2004 -- The Titan Corporation announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Richard A. Grenell as its new Vice President of Corporate Communications. Grenell will join Titan in December.

"Ric will be a great asset to the Titan team," said Gene Ray, Titan's CEO. "His experience over the last 12 years as the primary communications advisor for public officials at the local, state, federal and international levels will be a valuable asset, as we provide National Security Solutions to our government customers."

Grenell is currently the Director of Communications for Ambassador John C. Danforth, the United States Representative to the United Nations. Grenell was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States Spokesman at the United Nations in 2001. He has also served in the same position under Ambassador John D. Negroponte, the current Ambassador to Iraq.

Prior to his service at the United Nations, Grenell served as Spokesman for former San Diego Mayor Susan Golding. He has also worked for Governor George Pataki (NY), Congressman Mark Sanford (SC) and Congressman Dave Camp (MI).

Grenell has also been appointed as a United States delegate to a variety of United Nations conferences, including the Financing for Development Conference, the Special Session on Children, the World Food Summit, the Iraq Donors Conference, the Liberia Donors Conference and the Non- Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee.

Grenell received a Bachelor’s degree from Evangel College and a Master’s degree from Harvard University.

Headquartered in San Diego, The Titan Corporation is a leading provider of comprehensive information and communications systems solutions and services to the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and other federal government customers. As a provider of national security solutions, the company has approximately 12,000 employees and annualized sales of approximately $2 billion.

##

If you would like to receive press releases via electronic mail,
please contact: [e-mail]

For more information on The Titan Corporation,
please visit our website at: www.titan.com
or visit Titan's investor page at: www.titan.com/investor/

[paineinthearse]

18. Contact Richard A. Grenell

http://www.un.int/usa/press.htm



Press and Public Affairs Section

Informing and explaining U.S. policies to the media and general public is the responsibility of the Press and Public Affairs Section. Press spokespersons for the Mission provide information on United States policies in the United Nations to journalists who cover United Nations proceedings. The Press Section also arranges comprehensive briefings by Mission officers on a range of policy issues to civic groups, college and university students, and others who visit the Mission throughout the year and answers questions from the public about current foreign policy issues by phone, email, and fax.

The Press and Public Affairs Section also maintains regular contacts with nongovernmental organizations through its NGO Liaison Officer and arranges speaking engagements for the ambassadors and other senior officers.

The Press Section also releases statements and notices to the press and public on a regular basis. These are posted on our web site as they are released.

Mailing Address:
Press and Public Affairs Section
United States Mission to the United Nations
140 East 45th Street
New York, N.Y. 10017

Press inquiries and opinions: 212-415-4050
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

To contact the Spokesman directly please click here.

[malaise]

19. You go girls

I have nothing but respect for you.

[paineinthearse]

21. Background information from prior DU posts

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x27014

paineinthearse (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-27-06 09:09 AM
Original message
March 8, International Women's Day
http://www.womensaynotowar.org/article.php?id=728

Just picture groups of women around the world rallying against the war at US embassies and other symbolic places-all on the same day! It would be hard for US leaders to ignore. It would be hard for the media to ignore. And it would fire us up as women to know that our actions were being replicated by our sisters all over the globe. So what are we waiting for? Let's make March 8, International Women's Day, a time for flexing our collective muscle as women. Let's revive the dream of the women who came before us and carved out March 8 as a day for us to be a visible, vocal and vibrant force for peace and justice!

Join us in Washington DC: Consider joining us in Washington DC on March 7-8. A delegation of Iraqi and American women, including mothers who have lost their children in this war, will travel to Washington DC to pressure the Bush administration, meet with Congresspeople, hold public events and strategize for future actions. It will be an emotional and historic time, and we'd love for you to be there.

Much more at http://www.womensaynotowar.org/article.php?id=728

&

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=550874&mesg_id=550874

paineinthearse (1000+ posts) Wed Mar-01-06 07:19 PM
Original message
Iraqi Women Make Rare Trip to the US for International Women's Day
Received by email from Cindy

See prior post - March 8, International Women's Day - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... in the ACTIVIST HQ

From: Casey's Mom
To:
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 12:58 PM
Subject: Please send far and wide

Please post and send to your lists...especially media contacts. I will be in NYC and DC with these women the entire time.
Love and peace
Cindy Sheehan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1,2006
CONTACT:
Andrea Buffa 510-xxxxxx
Tony Newman 646-xxxxxxx
Medea Benjamin 415-xxxxxxxx

Iraqi Women Make Rare Trip to the US for International Women's Day

Will speak with members of Congress, meet with Cindy Sheehan, and deliver an urgent call for peace to the UN and White House

Two delegation members whose families were killed by US troops were denied visas.

New York, NY – Seven Iraqi women will converge in New York on Sunday, March 5th to begin a speaking tour to educate Americans about the reality in Iraq and meet with UN and US officials to call for a peace plan to end the escalating spiral of violence. The delegation is a diverse group, including Shia, Sunni and Kurdish women - some secular, some religious. All have paid a very high price for the war and occupation of their country, and want to tell their stories to the American people. Unfortunately, two Iraqi women whose families were killed by US troops were denied visas to enter the US as part of the delegation.

"These women are not politicians, but ordinary Iraqis who are desperate to see an end to the violence and are taking great personal risk to come to the US," says Medea Benjamin, cofounder of the CODEPINK and Global Exchange, the two groups organizing the delegation. "It's a rare opportunity to hear from Iraqis themselves, and we hope that US officials will listen."

The delegation is promoting a Women's Call for Peace, signed by over 50,000 women from around the world. The Call for Peace requests the withdrawal of all foreign troops and foreign fighters from Iraq, negotiations to reincorporate disenfranchised Iraqis, full representation of women in the peacemaking process, and a commitment to women's equality in the post-war Iraq. This Call is part of a Women Say No to War campaign ( http://www.womensaynotowar.org ) designed to bring women together across borders to demand an end to the bloodshed in Iraq.

Below are brief bios of the Iraqi women who'll be visiting the US as well as some highlighted events from their itinerary. To schedule an interview with any of the delegation members, contact Andrea Buffa at 510-325-3653, [e-mail] .

HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS

•March 6, 12 Noon: In New York, the women will hold a press conference in front of the UN, and then march to the US Mission to the UN to deliver the Call for Peace.

•March 7, 11 AM: In Washington, DC, the delegation will join with US women, including Iraq veterans and Gold Star mothers Cindy Sheehan and Elaine Johnson, to meet with members of Congress.

•March 8, International Women's Day, 12 Noon: In Washington DC, Iraqi and US women will march from the Iraqi Embassy to the White House to deliver the Women's Call for Peace. On the same day, women in a dozen other countries will deliver the Call for Peace to US embassies around the world.

IRAQI WOMEN'S DELEGATION BIOS

Nadje Al-Ali is a writer/researcher specializing in women in the Middle East. She is a founding member of Act Together: Women's Action on Iraq and mother of a 3-year-old daughter.

Faiza Al-Araji is a civil engineer, blogger (afamilyinbaghdad.blogspot.com), religious Shia with a Sunni husband, and mother of three. After one son was recently held as a political prisoner by the Ministry of the Interior, the family fled to Jordan.

Souad Al-Jazairy is a writer, journalist and TV producer. Souad is a very active member in the Iraqi Women's League.

Eman Ahmad Khamas is a human rights advocate who has documented abuses by the US military in Iraq. She is a member of Women's Will, and is married with two daughters.

Dr Entisar Mohammad Ariabi, a pharmacist at the Yarmook Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, has documented the deteriorating health system. She is married with five children.

Dr. Rashad Zidan, a pharmacist, works in Baghdad and Fallujah with the Women and Knowledge Society to aid victims of war, especially orphans.

Sureya Sayadi, a Kurdish woman born in Kirkuk, is an activist for human rights in the Middle East, particularly for the Kurdish people. She now lives in the United States, but her family is dispersed in Iraq, Iran and Turkey,

THE FOLLOWING WOMEN WERE DENIED VISAS BY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT

Vivian Salim Mati is a widow who lost her husband and three children when they were fired on by U.S. tank fire as they attempted to flee the bombing of their neighborhood in Baghdad in April 2003.

Kadhim Jawad (Anwar) is a widow whose husband and three children were killed by US soldiers at an unmarked checkpoint.

*****************************************************************
After Killing Families, U.S. Bars Iraqi Women from Visiting
by Brendan Coyne

Feb. 17 – Earlier this month, the US State Department denied the visa applications of two Iraqi women who intended to participate in a speaking tour of the United States. Both women say that US troops killed their families. They were slated to travel with other women activists opposed to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In denying the visas earlier this month, the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan said it could not guarantee that the Iraqi women, Vivian Salim Mati and Anwar Kadhim Jawad, would return to Iraq after their visit, according to the anti-war organizers coordinating the circuit.

In a joint statement, Global Exchange and Code Pink said that according to the embassy, the women's applications were denied because they supposedly do not have enough family members in Iraq to ensure their return. The women were informed of the embassy decision on February 4, after traveling to Amman from Baghdad to apply for the visas, the organizations said.

"It's appalling that the US military killed these women's families and then the US government rejects their visas on the grounds that they have no family to return to in Iraq," Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin said. "These women have no desire to stay in the United States. We had a very hard time convincing them to come, but we told them how important it would be for their stories to be heard by Americans."

The groups were planning to host speaking engagements for the women in New York City and Washington, DC, in addition to helping them meet with legislators and journalists. The groups are urging people to contact the State Department and demand that the visas be granted.

I am sorry to say that these posts faded without much regard.

[az chela]

24. I tried to call nd no answer

Will let you know when I hear from her

[paineinthearse]

31. When you get through

Give her and Medea our love

:grouphug:

[PuraVidaDreamin]

30. Is this the kind of democracy you are bringing to Iraq?

Wow! Just got home from work to find this-
Unbelievable-
I stand with Cindy!

[bpilgrim]

2. thank you - adding to the gallery

http://GlobalFreePress.com

thanks for sharing :toast:

peace

[paineinthearse]

4. ...and thank YOU for sharing news of the gallery nt

[rainy]

9. If ever the women of the world come together for a common cause

it will be a force to recon with of the likes this world has never seen before. I read this some where, I don't remember where I read it.

[rainy]

10. Beautiful women!

[Terran1212]

16. Fine, let them arrest them; they will make the jail cells holy

[Canuckistanian]

22. Is she going to get to court this time?

Or is she going to be let go again with another half-assed "apology"?

If not then this time she should sue for harassment. This looks like a pattern to me.

[Random_Australian]

23. That is cool...

Awesome pics, awesome people in pics.

[az chela]

26. Yes we should all thank painein the arse

Thanks,pass it on.Then send Cindy love!!!

[az chela]

25. Cindy looks very stressed and upset!!!!!

This is unbelievable that they do this to her and with the Iraqi women there.How proud we should be of these assholes!!!!They make us look like tyrants

[meisje]

27. looks like she is laughing to me

[NVMojo]

34. I admire these women!! And this shit is so fecked up! I hate Bush!

[mogster]

37. Great demo!

And great message! :-)

I wish she would replace the Rigid Moustache as UN ambassador.
Big hug to ya, Cindy, for standing up. If only everybody had that courage and drive.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

39. Picture 9 She must have been terrified

She was bound, had her hood pulled over her eyes, could not see where she was being hauled to, and her jacket is stuck above her boobs with her tummy exposed. In essence she is bound, blindfolded, and humiliated. Her son was killed in Iraq, and this is the treatment she gets.

[Dora]

42. Hallelujah! Keep Smiling, Cindy!

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
Ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

All in my house
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, all in my house
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
All in my house
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

I'm not going to make it shine
I'm just going to let it shine
I'm not going to make it shine
I'm just going to let it shine
Hallelujah
I'm not going to make it shine
I'm just going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Out in the dark
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, out in the dark
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
Out in the dark
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

[paineinthearse]

43. noon

:kick:

[paineinthearse]

44. In the scuffle, Cindy was injured by the police

Just received by email, the following came from Code Pink and was forwarded from a personal friend of Cindy's:

"they're ok, but Cindy was injured by the police. They are on their way to DC right now."

The "they" are Cindy, Medea, and the Iraqi women.

[Just Me]

46. I sincerely admire these women's courage!!!!

I'm sure Cindy had the wherewithall to get pics of her injuries.

It SUCKS that they missed the conference, today. But, from what I've read, the Women for Peace were outstanding.

Here's a huge :hug: for Cindy and Medea.