Carlos Arredondo pulls a flag-draped coffin during a march against the war in Iraq Saturday, May 13, 2006 on the National Mall in Washington. Arredondo's son, U. S. Marine Cpl. Alexander Arredondo of Boston, Mass., was killed in Najaf by a sniper August 24, 2004. Carlos Arredondo is an immigrant seeking citizenship in the United States. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, center, hugs Nina Utne, right, as dusk falls at a peace demonstration sponsored by Code Pink in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, Saturday, May 13, 2006. Often referred to as the 'peace mom', Sheehan became a prominent anti-Iraq war protester after the death of her son Casey Sheehan who was serving in the US military in Iraq. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
A photograph of Casey Sheehan, the son of Cindy Sheehan, is seen at an anti-war protest Saturday, May 13, 2006 on the National Mall in Washington. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, 24, was killed in Baghdad April 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Flag-draped coffins are displayed by anti-Iraqi war protesters on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington May 13, 2006. Mothers and peace activists gather to call for an end to the war in Iraq and stand against a military attack on Iran. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
Anti-Iraqi war protesters march outside of the White House in Washington May 13, 2006. Mothers and peace activists gather to call for an end to the war in Iraq and stand against a military attack on Iran. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
Iraq War veteran, Army soldier David Adams of Carbondale, Ill., becomes emotional as he speaks about the death of a comrade - which caused him to question the Iraq War - during a peace rally Saturday, May 13, 2006 on the National Mall in Washington. Other members of Iraq Veterans Against the War console him. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Denise Thomas, from Georgia, joins protesters during an anti-war rally and march on the National Mall, Saturday, May 13, 2006, in Washington. Thomas has a daughter in the Army reserve who has already done one tour in Iraq and expects to go back. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
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Mothers protest Iraq war at White House
A group of mothers led by prominent war opponent Cindy Sheehan, who lost her soldier son in Iraq, started a 24-hour vigil outside the White House to protest the war in Iraq.
Actress Susan Sarandon was also expected to attend part of the demonstration Sunday, on Mother's Day. The protesters are calling for an end to the Iraq war and to express opposition to a military attack against Iran.
"I don't want any more moms to grieve for a child lost in this unjust, unnecessary war in Iraq," said Sheehan, who has become a leading war protesters since her 24-year-old sold was killed in Iraq.
"This Mother's Day we'll be outside the White House all day and all night demanding that our children come home from Iraq and not be sent to another reckless war in Iran," she said in a statement.
Women for Peace, made up of mothers and their families, met at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) prepared to spend the night outside the White House before dispersing at the same time Sunday.
Sarandon was to attend from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, when "organizers plan a dramatic action," according to the anti-war group Code Pink.
President George W. Bush will not be at the White House, but at the presidential weekend retreat at Camp David.
Events include a concert, film screenings, workshops on legislative strategies, writing letters to First Lady Laura Bush, a pink pajama party, an interfaith service on Sunday morning, and a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to deliver roses to mothers and wives of injured soldiers, the group said.
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