KENNEBUNKPORT (AP) – Anti-war activists will hold what’s billed as the summer’s largest peace demonstration later this month but the subject of the demonstrators’ ire – President Bush – will be elsewhere.
Bush is staying at the family estate at Walker’s Point this weekend for a relative’s wedding, but he won’t be around on the weekend of the march and rally featuring “Peace Mom” Cindy Sheehan and music by the Indigo Girls.
The president’s schedule has not been released, but he’s not expected to be in Kennebunkport during the Aug. 24-26 Rally and March for Peace.
This weekend, Bush is expected to combine his typical activities – fishing and mountain biking – while attending the wedding.
Coincidentally, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is vacationing at an estate on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, N.H.
There has been speculation that Sarkozy and Bush might get together since Kennebunkport and Wolfeboro are only 50 miles apart by car. But the White House had nothing to report Monday on a possible visit of the world leaders.
In Kennebunkport, Jamilla El-Shafei organized demonstrations that coincided with Bush’s two previous visits to Maine. She said she won’t be organizing an event for this weekend because she’s focusing her efforts on the Aug. 25 demonstration.
“We march in Washington and Bush is never around. So it’s a symbolic event,” said El-Shafei, who has been working for a year on the event.
It’ll feature entertainment and speakers on a local farm. There will be two camping areas, including one dubbed Camp Casey in honor of Sheehan’s son. Sheehan, whose 24-year-old son Casey was killed in Iraq, is planning to attend the event, El-Shafei said.
Also attending are Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, she said.
AP-ES-08-06-07 1104EDT
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