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News :: Peace |
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Dozens Come Out for Vigil for the Dead |
Current rating: 0 |
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by NWFIMC Staff |
10 Sep 2004
Modified: 11 Sep 2004 |
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More than 40 people gathered at Martin Luther King, Jr., Plaza tonight for a solemn vigil to mark the death of 1,000 U.S. soldiers and more than 13,000 Iraqi civilians in the war. |
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Patriots for Peace, a local Pensacola peace organization, held a silent vigil at MLK Plaza today to mark and mourn the tragic milestone of the 1,000th U.S. soldier to die in the war on Iraq. The group also remembered the 13,000 Iraqi civilians who have been killed in the war.
The Vigil for the Dead was organized by Patricia Edmisten, founder of the Pensacola Patriots for Peace (PFP). Edmisten, who had protested with PFP for seven months before and during the war on Iraq and written several anti-war editorials for the Pensacola News Journal, most recently organized a vigil to mark the one-year anniversary of the war. This is the first meeting of Patriots for Peace since March.
"There's no doubt but that terrorism has increased mightily since we invaded Iraq. We must think of our children and future generations, not only here but in the world," Edmisten said in an e-mail to PFP members. "We must challenge the simplistic notion that the world is safer with our present
policies."
During the vigil, this writer witnessed only two hostile remarks by passing motorists (far fewer than at past vigils). Far more gave "thumbs up" signs or other shows of support.
The one-hour silent vigil, largely organized over the internet, was attended by more than 40 activists, veterans, family members of service people, professors, writers, clergy, babies, and even one dog.
Edmisten closed the event with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. After the vigil concluded, several people remained in the plaza and talked about the war, politics, the president, and life in general.
Similar vigils were held across the country to mark the tragic news.
(*photo of Rev Bob Eddy taken by Ben Twingley from the PNJ) |
This work is in the public domain |
