PHOTOPHILE- Call to action: Sheehan, Wright urge end to war

America's most famous grieving mother, Cindy Sheehan, brought her anti-war story to Charlottesville, along with resigned diplomat and Army reservist Ann Wright. The two made an impassioned plea to Charlottesvillians to end the war in Iraq.

"No matter what you're doing," Sheehan implored the crowd of approximately 200, "do a little bit more."

The May 17 event at the the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center was sponsored by the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice included a mini-concert by noted singer-songwriter Terri Allard.

Many attendees were emblazoned with "Impeach Bush" shirts and buttons, while Wright wore a shirt that marked the number of troops who have died so far in Iraq.

"Today is 2,445" Wright said, "but by the end of the month it will be 2,500. This is more people than died in the first three years of the Vietnam War."

After decades of service in both the State Department and the Army, Wright resigned her diplomatic position in protest of the Iraq War when the bombs started falling. She has since devoted her time to bringing the troops home by offering an insider's perspective on the problematic nature of the war.

Sheehan, a mother whose son was killed in the war, famously camped out in August 2005 in Crawford, Texas demanding an audience with President George W. Bush. Sheehan said that his refusal to meet with her was a turning point in the anti-war movement.

Terri Allard sings for the audience.


Joe Oddo wears his new shirt.


Ann Wright


Cindy Sheehan


Cindy Sheehan and Ann Wright
#