Sheehan cancels appearance at Salt Lake anti-war protest

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has cancelled her plans to speak at Wednesday's protest of the Iraq war due to illness, according to her spokeswoman Tiffany Burns.

Sheehan was to speak at the rally at Washington Square along with Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson in a protest to coincide with President Bush's visit to Utah.

However, Sheehan is unable to travel because of longer than expected recovery time from a hysterectomy and will continue to recover in Texas, the statement said.

"Cindy is sad that she will not be there in person, but is in good spirits overall, and extremely proud of the peace community in Salt Lake for organizing such a strong event," the statement said.

Sheehan, a founding member of Gold Star Families for Peace, is a vocal opponent of the Iraq war. Her son, Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq in 2004.