I spent this past weekend at Camp Casey in Crawford Texas, and am still
processing the experience. I jumped in my car Friday afternoon with a
tent, a cooler, and a backpack of clothes and drove four hours,
arriving in Crawford around 7:30 p.m. I stopped at the Peace House
first and received a warm welcome and an invitation to join them for
the weekend. I asked if it was possible to get to Camp Casey and stay
there for the weekend. That's where I felt I needed to be. They gave me
directions and someone needed a ride back out there. I was glad to have
the company and the two of us took off, arriving at CC just before dark.
CC is located on the outskirts of Crawford, about 2 miles down Prairie
Chapel Road, a winding road lined with large ranches leading to George
Bush's ranch. CC is on two sides of a triangular patch of grass
branching off to the south. The camp is restricted to the very narrow
strip of land between the side of the road and the fences on the edge
of private property. Luckily, there are trees along the roadside,
provind much needed shade during the day. The strip of land is so
narrow that I could not pitch the tent I had brought - only 2 person
tents could be pitched. And the side of the road is a ditch, making it
even more difficult to set up the camp.
The people staying at CC are among the nicest, generous people I've
ever met. A total stranger offered to let me stay in her tent when it
became apparent I could not set mine up. A real bond of camaraderie
quickly developed as helped each other deal with the harsh conditions
and worked together to keep the camp organized and aligned with the
requirements of the law enforcement - roads must be kept clear to allow
traffic to pass on the streets unencumbered, the large triangular
grassy area cannot be even stepped on as it is private property, no
public consumption of alcohol, etc. Everyone took turns with security
and clean-up detail.
That first night, the Perseid Meteor Shower gave us a brilliant stellar
show as we sat around talking well into the night, getting to know each
other. I slept outside at night with a nice breeze keeping the heat
down and the mosquitoes away. Security was a concern as we had heard
gunshots from across the field and cars and trucks had frequently
driven by at alarming speeds and very close to where tents were
pitched. The sheriffs who patrolled the area seemed genuinely trying to
help us and keep us safe. I am not a fan of law enforcement agencies
but I have to say these deputies seemed committed to making the
situation work. When there were problems, we were always given the
opportunity to handle it ourselves. The property owners in the area
frequently phoned in complaints like "a car has a tire on the road" or
"someone has stepped on that patch of grass in the middle..." or "there
is a wild party going on down there...". Many times the deputy
apologized for having to follow-up on the call, and most of the times
the calls were unfounded. But we were allowed to get the car moved,
remind people to stay off the road and grassy area, without the
deputies arresting anyone. I do realize that they will follow orders,
and if the Bush people want the camp cleared, it will happen. The
Secret Service was everywhere. They were understandably not friendly or
helpful. A state police helicopter frequently circled the camp. While
it was not extremely tense most of the time, there was a feeling of
carefulness. We were all aware that at any time, day or night,
something could happen and turn the place into a chaotic scene.
Everyone made a huge effort to keep the camp calm and orderly. The
gunshots we heard both nights were a reminder that we were not in
friendly terroritory and many people do not want us there.
I was able to meet Cindy Friday night, at the Peace House in Crawford. I introduced myself to Cindy and said, "I have a son who just turned 15
this week. I don't...." and I couldn't finish the sentence because I
was holding back my tears. So, Cindy finished it for me, "I don't want
your son to have to die in a war either." I nodded and replied, "I'm so
sorry this happened. I tried so hard before the war began, I did
everything I could to protest, trying to prevent it." Cindy stood up
off the couch where she was sitting and hugged me and said, "Thank you.
Thank you for trying to save my son's life. And I will do everything I
can to save your son's life. We have to stop this war." Cindy is an amazing woman. She has a presence that exudes calm, strength, and grace. She never
turned anyone away who wanted to speak to her. She would greet me
anytime we passed each other at CC. She came across as "one of us" - an
ordinary person. I think this is why she is such an inspiration. And
she talks a lot about how "we" have the power because we have the truth
on our side, and it is high time that each of us reclaim our pwer and
demand our govt. to represent the wishes of the people. And if they
don't it is time to fire them all.
Cindy is doing something important. She is articulating a cohesive and
coherent message. Every reason we were given to justify this war has
been proven false. She names the three reasons (a small enough number
to remember!) - a connection to 9/11 terrorists, WMD's, and the war was
a last resort response to a threat to our safety.. She says this every
chance she gets and it needs repeating. I
believe her message is something the majority of the people can "hear"
and get. Her current message does not turn off middle of the road
Americans. It is simple, she states the sources that most Americans
respect that have debunked the rationale we were given by our govt. and
the president himself - the 9/11 Commission, the WMD inspectors, and
the Downing Street Memo. I believe her short and precise message may
have the power to catch the attention of people in this country who are
looking for something to grab onto to explain their uneasiness with
this war. It's like a light bulb is going for many people - she is
doing what the Democratic Party could not do in 2004, she is providing
an understandable articulation of why this war is so wrong.
The high point of the weekend was the moment that a caravan of cars
began making their way along the winding road leading to Camp Casey
after the Peace Rally on Saturday afternoon, held in Crawford. Even now, when I think about that moment of looking back up the road
and seeing all those cars - I get overwhelmed with emotion. I was one
of about 20-25 people who had stayed behind at the camp to keep it
secure and organized as the rally goers joined us. There wasn't a dry
eye at the camp as we realized what was happening. If you build it,
they will come. It was such a great feeling to stand there, waving a
peace flag and shouting "Welcome to Camp Casey! We are so glad you're
here!" It got a little hectic towards the end of the procession. The
deputies even gave up trying to direct traffic. They told us later they
were impressed with how we conducted ourselves and handled every
situation that developed over the afternoon. I would say over 500 cars
made their way up that road to join us. Many turned back when the
traffic had come to a near stand still.
There was a time for speakers at the camp, but I missed most of it
because I was a "Peace Keeper", and people were streaming in all
afternoon. I did run over to the stage area to hear Cindy's speech. It
was moving and inspiring. And she speaks the truth.
After the speech, we had our only unpleasant development of the day.
The counter-demonstrators had left for the most part before the crowd
showed up after the rally. Only a handful had stayed and were across
Prairie Chapel Road. They yelled insults and slogans all the time Cindy
spoke, and during the moment of silence we had to remember all those
who have died in this war. After the Cindy's speech, people began to
leave, creating another logistical nightmare! And this is when we had a
few people from CC line up facing the counter-demonstrators (CD's), and
the back and forth yelling match began. The Peace Keepers were called
in to defuse the situation. We asked the CC people to walk away, their
actions were only feeding the CD's. The media loved the developing
drama and immediately flocked to the area to catch it on film. We
pointed this out to the CC people,and most of them realized this was
not helping Cindy's efforts. A few men refused to walk away and the
tension grew. The PK's positioned ourselves between the two sides, some
of us held up our flags blocking the view of each side of the other.
This was effective because it's no fun to yell at someone you cannot
see! One man from CC, a Viet-Nam vet had an emotional melt down which
nearly brought the whole situation to a tragic eruption. It was a sad
moment for all of us. This man was trying to speak his truth about the
atrocities of war he had witnessed as a helicopter medic - young men
with limbs blown off and brains leaking out of their head. He kept
yelling, "You don't know what it's like. You don't know. We have to
stop this." The CD's taunted him, calling him a traitor. When this man
stepped into the road towards the other side, the police told us to get
him out of the area or they would. We had no choice but to forceably
remove him. I am crying as I write this because this man's anguish was
so real and none of us wanted to act against him. We had no choice. The
helicopters which had circled all afternoon began closing in and
getting lower. The man was in full meltdown. The media had surrounded
us and we could not move him as people swarmed us to watch. Another
vet, the man with a missing leg in my photos got to him and just hugged
him tight. The man collapsed on the ground, sobbing harder than
anything I've ever seen. I began screaming at people to "move out back
out" and pushed open a clearing in the crowd so this man could be
carried to a safe place where he could be cared for. Several trained
therapists were on hand and cared for this man until he had regained
his composure. He stayed with us that night and I had the opportunity
to speak with him at length. I have nothing but respect for him and
understood his pain and why this happened.
As the day drew to an end, most people left CC. It is probably a good
thing that only a small crowd actually camps out there on the road.
Space and supplies are limited. I would guess somewhere around 30
people were there at night, maybe 40. There is a concern for the safety
of those staying at the camp at night. In addition to the man shooting his rifle nearby on Sunday morning, we heard gunfire both nights that I was there. For this reason, Cindy has been asked by the Sheriff's office to not
stay out there at night. He said he didn't think she would be safe.
At night, we sat around in small groups, talking. Ideas were exchanged, people engaged in dialogue and eyes and minds
were opened. And, among the small group I was talking with, there was
agreement that we'd rather die there at Camp Casey than go back to
inactivity. Something had shifted. We were re-finding the strength of
our own convictions - something that had gotten lost these past 3
years. No one was encouraging the use of violence - but the willingness
to put our lives on the line for what is right. Our own integrity is
all we have left. Our freedoms are being taken away, our minds are
being numbed and our hearts are being hardened by this society we live
in. We are paralyzed by fear. Apathy is rampant and drug induced. And
we all felt that now is the time. Something has shifted. And if we
don't act now, we may not have the chance. These are not empty words.
People are waking up. I truly believe that. And the govt. will do all
it can to put us back to sleep.
Sitting around in little huddles at night under the stars. The people
are organizing. And that's one thing we realized. What we are doing
scares the "powers that be", currently George Bush and his regime,
because when people start talking TO each other, when they come
together, that's when they are powerful. The power of Camp Casey goes
way beyond the public demonstrations caught on camera and the
interviews given. The power of Camp Casey is what is happening between
everyone who steps foot on that small strip of road and realizes they
aren't alone. And hearing one person say, "We are tired of this shit
and we want it to stop." (Cindy speaks from the hip!) gives another
person the power to say it, too. It's what's happening there when the
sun has set and the people come together and begin organizing to never
let up - that's why Camp Casey scares Bush.
I am hoping to go back to Camp Casey at the end of the week. And I ask
each of you to go. Find a way. We have to keep this going.
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