NEW YORK —  The Rev. Al Sharpton (search) plans to join peace activist Cindy Sheehan (search), known as the Peace Mom, on Sunday near President Bush's Texas ranch.

Sharpton's office said Thursday he would participate in a prayer vigil Sunday with Sheehan in Crawford, Texas. Sheehan returned on Wednesday to Camp Casey (search), named after her 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, who was killed last year in Iraq.

Sheehan began her vigil on the road leading to Bush's ranch Aug. 6, vowing to stay through his monthlong vacation unless he met with her. She left last week to visit her 74-year-old mother, who had suffered a stroke, in Los Angeles.

Sheehan's protest in Crawford has encouraged anti-war activists to join her and prompted peace vigils nationwide. But Sheehan continues to draw harsh criticism from those who support the U.S. effort in Iraq.

Sheehan plans to leave Crawford at the end of August and embark on a bus tour ending in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24.