Cindy Sheehan visits Carrboro NC, meets mayor

By Cassie Safrit, News 14, video on website

CARRBORO, N.C. -- Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan started her "Summer of Love" tour in Crawford, Texas, and on Thursday she made a stop in Carrboro.

"We're really happy to be here," said Sheehan when she arrived.

A few dozen supporters met Sheehan and her entourage with cheers at Weaver Street Market.

"I'm ecstatic because I live in Carrboro, and I've wanted to meet her and give her a hug basically for a long time," said Carborro resident Rebecca Cerese.

Sheehan said her tour through the country is aimed at rallying activists. Her main topic of conversation is impeachment of President Bush.

Cindy Sheehan "To restore Congress' role in our government and the Supreme Court's role in government, impeachment has to go forward," said Sheehan.

At lunch with local supporters, Sheehan said if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn't bring up impeachment, she'll have some opposition in the next election.

"She still hasn't put impeachment on the table. I'm still going to challenge her. She has until Monday," said Sheehan.

Carlos Arredondo calls his truck a mobile monument, his way of grieving. He understands Sheehan's pain of losing a son in Iraq. His son died also and that's why he joined the tour.

"We want to bring the knowledge that we have too many other people, about how we're dealing with this pain," said Arredondo.

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton met with Sheehan, and he said he's not optimistic about impeachment.

"I think it's important for somebody to be out there talking about holding President Bush accountable," said Chilton.

Although a local group failed at an attempt to rename Carrboro “The Cradle of Impeachment,” Thursday's meeting spurred them to keep talking.

"It's encouraging, exhilarating," said Wes Hare.

From Carrboro, Sheehan's tour is traveling to Virginia, Washington, D.C., and eventually to New York City.