Anti-war protesters arrested near Bush ranch

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) – A dozen Iraq war protesters
were arrested on Wednesday as they tested a new ban on camping
and parking on roads near President George W. Bush’s Texas
ranch where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday.

The demonstration was timed to coincide with Bush’s break
at his 1,600-acre (650-hectare) spread and the arrival of the
accompanying White House media entourage.

The group included Dede Miller, the sister of anti-war
activist Cindy Sheehan whose son was killed in Iraq and who
became an icon for the peace movement after her 26-day vigil
outside Bush’s ranch in the summer. Sheehan was scheduled to
arrive in Crawford on Friday.

McLennan County sheriff’s deputies warned the protesters —
who had pitched tents by the roadside — and then arrested them
for trespassing.

After hundreds of demonstrators erected a tent city during
Sheehan’s August protest, the county banned camping, parking
and sewage receptacles along roads surrounding Bush’s ranch,
citing health and safety concerns.

Bush arrived on Tuesday night for a six-day visit. He will
spend Thanksgiving on Thursday with family, including his
parents, former President George Bush and wife Barbara, as well
as his twin daughters Jenna and Barbara.