Mother's protest is echoed in Jersey - Star Ledger

Mother's protest is echoed in Jersey
Candelight vigils oppose Iraq war
Thursday, August 18, 2005
BY SOFIA KOSMETATOS
Star-Ledger Staff

The growing war protest outside President Bush's Texas ranch, started 12 days ago by a California woman whose son was killed in Iraq, went national last night with more than 1,600 candlelight vigils across the country, including dozens in New Jersey.

Cindy Sheehan's vow to remain camped outside the Bush compound through the duration of the president's August vacation unless he agrees to meet with her has drawn the national spotlight and galvanized anti-war groups desperate to put a human face on their cause.

Hundreds of protesters, many of whom said they had not previously expressed public opposition to the war, attended vigils throughout New Jersey after being moved by Sheehan's stand in Texas.

"Cindy is a spark. What she gave is the ultimate sacrifice," said Shari Niemac, a Clifton resident who joined more than 100 protesters at a vigil in Montclair. "Bush hasn't sacrificed anything. He needs to talk her."

Horns blared in approval of signs like "Bring Our Children Home" as cars passed the vigil at the corner of Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue in the town's business district.

"A lot of us wanted to support our president, we wanted to trust him, and then the lies started to unfold," Niemec said.

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