Anti-war protestors hold a huge banner to protest against the Iraq war near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005.(Xinhua/AFP photo)

Pro-war demonstrators show their support for President Bush. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

Pro-Bush supporters sign a U.S. flag to give to troops stationed in Iraq during a Pro-Bush rally, Saturday.(AP photo)

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of people were gathering around US President George W. Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch on Saturday, either to protest against the Iraq war or to show support for the president, media reports said.

    The anti-war demonstration was started by California woman Cindy Sheehan, who started camping out off the road leading to Bush's ranch on Aug. 6, soon after his Texas vacation began.

    Sheehan, whose soldier son was killed in Iraq last year, was demanding a meeting with Bush to talk about her son's death and the Iraq war which has left more than 1,870 US soldiers dead.

    Sheehan has said some of her fellow demonstrators, after the protest at the ranch ends next Wednesday, would embark on a tour to Washington DC to spread its message. Bush's vacation at the ranch ends on Sept. 2

Cindy Sheehan chants during a peace rally at her anti-war camp near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, Saturday.(AP photo)

    Bush has said he appreciates Sheehan's right to protest and understands her anguish, but has declined to meet Sheehan, criticizing her as "unrepresentative" of most military families he met.

    Sheehan and other families of fallen soldiers met with Bush about two months after her son died in April last year, before she became a vocal opponent of the war.

    The pro-Bush rally, "You don't speak for me, Cindy," was coordinated by "Move America Forward," a group led by former Republican California Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian and Sal Russo. The tour started in California last week.

    Media reports said at least two people were arrested at Crawford for "disorderly conduct." Enditem