The first meeting of the College Democrats will be meeting at Tuesday 29th at 6:30 p.m. in the student Union, on the first floor.

If you have any questions, please contact College Democrats President Jesse Johnson. In addition, you can contact webmaster and comunications coordinator John W. Flynt. Flynt can also be reached at 662.816.6804 for any information requests while the site is in transition.

Press Release

From the Ole Miss College Democrats

            Close to 80 people stood on the Oxford Square Wednesday night in an impromptu candlelight vigil for Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a slain soldier in Iraq who wants to meet with President Bush. The war protesters, holding signs denouncing the war, stood at 7:30 p.m. in drizzling rain discussing their frustration over President Bush’s decision to not meet with Sheehan.

            The vigil, planned in less than 24 hours by Mitch Cohen and the College Democrats, was considered an overwhelming success by those that planned it. Only eight people had been registered to attend the event online, and the afternoon pouring afternoon rain worried many, according to Jesse Johnson, president of the College Democrats.

“This is amazing,” said Johnson. “People are really starting to wake up and realize what’s going on.”

            In order to show their sympathy for Sheehan and her loss, demonstrators lined up along the edge of the Square courthouse, holding lit candles and signs. Some sang songs and chanted.

            Though the vigil was planned and promoted as a peaceful protest, confined to Sheehan’s situation, many took the situation as an opportunity to protest the war in Iraq . Many held signs saying “Blessed are the Peacemakers” and “End the War.”

            Participants in the candlelight vigil felt strongly that President Bush needed to meet with Sheehan and discuss the end of the Iraqi war.

“Of course he should meet with her!” said Joy Anne Walker, an unassuming woman in her 50s. “He’s on a five week vacation during a war? This isn’t the leadership we need.”  

            Alex Herdberger, a senior in high school, described his frustration over not being old enough to vote yet. “I am so against this it’s ridiculous,” Herdberger said. “Since I can't use my own voice in the nation, I decided to try and influence other people to use theirs.”

            Herdberger went on to express his frustration over the war in Iraq .

“I've never been very political, but I love my country,” Herdberger said. “I used to think that, no matter what, the American people would make the right decision.  Now I'm just scared.”

            Sheehan has been camped near President Bush’s Crawford ranch in Texas ever since his vacation started five days ago. She wants to meet with President Bush to discuss her son’s death, and to discuss pulling the troops out of Iraq .

            Critics of Sheehan have questioned her motives because she acknowledges Moveon.org has written a “blank check” to her public relations company. They also say that because her son was a volunteer in the military, she has no right to complain about his death.

            During the vigil, Oxford police arrived insisting that a permit to gather be shown. Although event planner Mitch Cohen had a permit to gather for the county, police initially insisted that a permit for the city was needed. After some confusion, it was determined that Cohen had the correct permit. “They were very nice,” said Cohen. “It was no hassle.”

            During the vigil, a passerby in an SUV screamed “Go war, go!” Fellow passengers in the car cheered, drawing sharp criticism from vigil participants.

            One of the liveliest moments of the vigil occurred when vigil participant Melanie Watkins got into an argument with passerby John Heinikin, a supporter of the Iraq war. Stepping into the discussion to calm it, event organizer Mitch Cohen had a reasoned exchange of ideas with Heinikin.

“I am from a town with a large population of Jews,” said Heinikin. “And the thing I tell them is what if the people Sadam Hussein was slaughtering were Jewish?”

            Heinikin, a self described Fox news viewer, said he thought liberals exaggerated facts and figures over the way. When one rally participant claimed incidents of American troops going absent without leave were unreported by the media, Heinikin said the claim was “completely preposterous.”

            The crowd of participants varied greatly in age, races, and background. Included with the crowd of 77 were 13 children.  

For any further questions or contacts, contact Ole Miss College Democrats communications coordinator John W. Flynt at 662.816.6804 and 601.914.6804. He can also be reached at jwflynt@electioneve.com.

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