Cindy Sheehan spoke at Nassau Community College on Monday, October 17th to a crowd of over 100. Students were given the first chance for seats. Some had to listen via TV in an overflow room.
Listeners came out expressing a feeling of sadness but also inspiration.
Outside the building some activists from a campus group 'Peace Work' and Pax Christi Long Island set up a 'Camp Casey'.
A portion of the 'Honor the Fallen' exhibit with photos of soldiers who died in Iraq was displayed there by North Fork People of Conscience.
Cindy Sheehan viewed the exhibit which included her son Casey's picture. As she was standing there, a young student walked by and yelled, "They knew what they were signing up for!"
Ms. Sheehan calmly replied, "My son was lied to about going to fight to defend our country."
Activists distributed flyers informing students of military recruiting tactics and talked to the students who showed great interest in discussing the war. Many indicated they have friends, brothers, and sisters who are there or who have been there.
An area was set up for counter demonstrators, but none showed up. Only a few passers-by expressed their approval of the war.
reported by Karen Sackett.
