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Well the big protest in Germany with Cindy Sheehan was pretty much a bust. The 400 expected to turn out dwindled to approximately 25 - 30. And Cindy was a no-show.
She claims injuries due to Police brutality sustained during her arrest at the UN kept her from attending. However, I suspect it had more to do with restictions on flying to a foreign country while out on bail. (What kind of birds don't fly? Jailbirds!)
When the four of us. Missy Beattie, Rev. Patricia Ackerman, Medea Benjamin, and I, were arrested the other day, I was singled out for federal police brutality. The other three ladies were picked up, noth gingerly, though, and I was dragged across the pavement and treated very, very roughly—having both arms wrenched out from beneath me. I looked to my doctor as if I had been beaten. My daughter, Janey, asked if I had been resisting arrest, I told her if one considers going into a fetal position and saying, "Please don't hurt me anymore!" resisting, then I guess I was.This isn't the first time she's claimed police brutality.
But apparently Cindy didn't feel it was vital to inform those who were expecting her to lead this vigil that she would not be coming to Europe.
...Refering to your earlier mail and concerning the cancallation you were mentioning: the groups in our area (Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl, Ramstein) have not received any cancellation.
Neither Elsa Rassbach nor AVA have sent us information about this! Our last information is, that Cindy confirmed. But right now, we even do not know, if any of the other witnesses will arrive. This is a very unsatisfying situation.
I therefore kindly ask you to forward me the official cancallation that you have received. Thanks you very much in advance for your help.
I have no official cancellation and just knew that she did not make the plane I was planning on meeting, therefore I would not be coming your way. Which is why I informed you of same (re sleeping place, etc.) I think/hope! that you have been in touch with Elsa since this mail was sent and have received more specific information, as hers is the central office on this.And:
According to the following article posted in Stars and Stripes, Cindy can't come to Europe because her doctor "forbade it". I find it extremely unfortunate that we should find this out from a newspaper article. But it looks pretty clear now.According to Elsa Rassbach of American Voices Abroad:
Because we have no first-hand information, and only contradictory information, it does not seem like a good idea to put out a press release or statement, as there is nothing definitive that we can say. I discussed this late yesterday afternoon with our contact at the European Parliament, and the MEPs leading this project there do not think it appropriate to issue a press release or statement at this time.Well regardless if it was political repression, police brutality or bail restrictions that kept Cindy from fulfilling her commitment the demonstration went on without her. As MaryAnn and I approached their camp for photos, I thought that with all the rainbow flags I was watching a gay pride event. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
I understand that, If Cindy starts feeling better, she could still use her flight ticket to Europe.
I wish I had more to report. She missed one event, in Aachen, and she was not planning to come to Landstuhl in any case, but it does not mean she will necessarily miss other events.
We should all remember that, if it turns out that Cindy cannot come, it will be due to the political repression in the U.S. This means that it is all the more important to carry out our events here in solidarity with Cindy.
The AVA (American Voices Abroad) has hailed this event a success:
Congratulations, Elsa on the well done successes of of the Landstuhl event; A conference of locals, politicians, and activists from, other parts of Germany and the world who were brought together to highlight the continued occupation of Germany at Landstuhl by American troops. The occupation that makes all other occupations possible. I learnt a lot and am grateful for all the wonderful people I met.I met Steve Mraz, reporter for Stars and Stripes, and Raymond, a photographer, and they seemed like a couple of stand up guys who stay unbiased and reported exactly what occurred. Not sure what this guy's problem was with Steve's article.
Thanks for the article, Jazzin Eva, but Screw Stars and Stripes. That's their heavily interested opinion. Isn't S&S that military mouthpiece rag that Klinger and Hawkeye used to use to wipe their latrines ( I didn't know it wasn't fictional)? The right wing press, let alone a military propaganda joint, always try to pull defeat from the mouth of victory when it comes to struggles of this sort..
In spite of the bad weather, those of us who were rallying in support of our troops and our German-American partnership enjoyed meeting each other - many for the fist time. I was able to meet MaryAnn of Soldier's Angels Germany, Dr. Stefan Prystawik, and a few college students from a local university.
Kudos to the Polizei - no doubt they had better ways to spend their weekend, but they were extremely professional and very courteous.
We've lived in Germany for several years now, and have found the people here to be wonderful. We'll always have fond memories of our time here and the friends we've made. But I never expected to be part of a rally organized by Germans to counter a protest organized by Americans!
