Rockland Peace Vigil Grows
by Norma Athearn, Midcoast Peace and Justice Group
Rockland recently joined other towns in the Sunday vigils on bridges and
other locations along Route 1, from noon to 1 pm. Starting in February, when
we changed our day to Sunday, the vigil has drawn dozens of people with lots
of good signs and energy. One sign last Sunday said, "Honk for Peace." The
honking and waving of passersby was nonstop. The Second Read coffee shop
showed its support by offering free coffee to the vigilers. We could feel
the large and growing sentiment for peace. Standing with others we knew we
are not alone. It has not always been so.
As people in the community became involved in other activities during the
spring and summer, the vigil was maintained by only two, or occasionally
three, people. It picked up again temporarily in October when it was noted
in the Free Press with the "Stop the Violence" ad. The ad ran for several
weeks and eventually gathered more than 1000 signers. Some people vigiled
with us who had never done anything like that in their lives.
We plan to continue our Sunday noon vigils at Park and Main Streets.
Back to Peace Talk Index, Spring, 2003