September 11 2001 changed many things for many people, all the world over.

One consequence for us was that our vigil changed, necessarily. Instead of calling for an end to the wars against Iraq - the sanctions and the bombing - we felt it important to call for an end to ALL the wars, everywhere.

Our first ‘new’ vigil was held Friday evening, September 14, at Cameron and Riverside parks. This gathering drew nearly 150 people.

Our second ‘new’ vigil was held Monday afternoon in front of the Post Office, at our usual place, usual time. There were 16 vigillers, several of them first-timers.

Our signs, instead of ‘Let Iraq Live’ and such, bore messages like ‘Peace On Earth’ and ‘All One People’ and ‘An Eye for an Eye Makes Everyone Blind’ and ‘Build Community - Not Garrisons’ and - the old classic - ‘War is Not Healthy For Children and Other Living Things.’

There was some anger directed at us, of course; but there were also those who thanked us heartily for being there. One vigiller got a spontaneous hug from a passerby - a ‘first’ in our vigil annals.

One of our first-time vigilers offered this report:
I made a sign that said: “STOP BOMBING / DURING RAMADAN,” and joined the Peace Vigil yesterday afternoon. I shared the time with three very non-ambivalent peace activists, and had my first experience at being called a “traitor” by a man passing by. I encourage all to join in public statements toward long-term peace in the realities of this post-Sept. 11 world."

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