10:25 PM PDT on Monday, May 8, 2006

By DREW MIKKELSEN / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – Her son died in Iraq. Monday night in Seattle, Cindy Sheehan spoke out against the war in Iraq. But her speech also brought out some of her strongest critics.

KING

This was Cindy Sheehan's first speech in Seattle.

The heated debates began hours before Cindy Sheehan took the stage at Seattle's Town Hall. About a half dozen grandmothers and mothers of troops wanted to make it clear that when Cindy Sheehan protests the war, she's not speaking for all mothers.

"We're proud of our children serving. We're proud of the youth that are standing up. We support our country and we support those who say we volunteered for this," said Nadine Gulit, grandmother of soldiers.

Inside, in front of a much larger crowd, Cindy Sheehan talked about what she calls an unjust war. She wants American troops withdrawn from Iraq immediately.

"Those people out there should have signs saying: Shame on me for supporting Bush and his murder," said Sheehan.

She says she doesn't attract as many protestors as she used to. She thinks that's because more military mothers are beginning to agree with her.

"You know why they say we don't support our troops. They mean, we don't support our president. He said either you're with us or against us. We all should have stood up and said: Of course, we're not with you, you maniac!" she said.

This was Sheehan's first Seattle speech. Her visit was sponsored by a local group called MOMAW – Mothers' Original Movement Against War.

Members of "Operation Support of Troops" who demonstrated outside Town Hall say the U.S. needs to honor young men like Sheehan's son, not use him to promote their political agenda.