Candles flickered as participants gathered in silence for a peace vigil at James Madison Park last night. The vigil was held in honor of those who perished in the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and the event included light music and singing along with a circle of attentive citizens.
Participants said the small turnout did not take away from the meaning behind the occasion, but it was recognized.
“I just wish more people would become interested,” said David McKercher, a student at Madison Area Technical College.
The event was sponsored by the Madison Area Peace Coalition, the Madison Women for Peace, the Veterans for Peace/Clarence Kailin Chapter, and the Madison East Students for Freedom and Peace, with more than just the casualties of 9/11 in mind.
“We are gathering to remember the victims of the Sept. 11th attacks as well as those in Afghanistan and Iraq who have subsequently fallen victim to U.S. war and aggression,” Rae Vogeler of the Madison Area Peace Coalition said.
The Madison Area Peace Coalition does not plan to remain quiet concerning the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Up next on the agenda for the coalition is a door-to-door peace campaign titled “Open the Door for Peace” along with a “speak-out” tentatively planned for Oct. 25th, 2003.
