As If On Cue, Mutt-Ugly Cindy Sheehan in Egypt for Islamists

http://www.newsmax.com/international/egypt_sheehan_protest/2008/02/13/72480.html

Cindy Sheehan in Egypt for Islamists

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

CAIRO, Egypt -- Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan joined a protest Wednesday

seeking the support of Egypt's first lady in ending a military trial of

members of the country's largest Islamic organization.

Under the watchful eyes of dozens of black-clad and helmeted anti-riot

police, some 50 heavily veiled wives and children of 40 senior members of

the Muslim Brotherhood detained for the past year, gathered in front of the

headquarters of first lady Suzanne Mubarak's National Council Women carrying

banners calling for their release.

"I am here to protest the trial of civilians in front of a military tribunal

as this is a violation to international law," said Sheehan, who gained fame

in the U.S. for her sit-in outside President Bush's Texas ranch following

the death of her son in Iraq.

"As a mother of a son who was killed in the war, I presented a letter to Ms.

Suzanne Mubarak to realize how those women and children are suffering."

The street protest was rare in Egypt where authorities ban most signs of

public dissent.

One woman carried a sleeping infant in her arms along with a poster reading

"Father, I miss you."

In December 2006, the government engaged in a wide-ranging crackdown against

the Brotherhood, the country's largest opposition force _ which holds

one-fifth of the seats in the parliament _ targeting in particular

businessmen known to financially support the group.

In February 2007, President Hosni Mubarak ordered 40 of the organization's

members to be tried by a military tribunal on charges of money laundering

and terrorism. The court's verdict is expected Feb. 26.

According to the Brotherhood, 3,245 members of their organization were

arrested in 2007.