"We Don't Have To Hide Anymore"

It's remarkable when you get into the real world and hear people saying things like that. We think it all the time - to ourselves. But to actually hear a total stranger say it out loud with a serious sense of relief is quite shocking. But this is Bush's America.

That's among the many things we heard tonight at the one of 1600+ candlelight vigils nationwide to support Cindy Sheehan's cause. Hermosa Beach, CA was the scene of this one. For many, it ushered in a feeling that the Bush White House and all its supporters and apologists are breathing their last gasps. Their moment of power is about to end, and a new more sensible one is on the horizon.

Over 350 showed up to a very quiet and dignified gathering. At the risk of sounding contrived, it really did feel like it became its own living organism. For a hastily thrown-together event, it took on its own sense of organization. A crater on the beach became the candle pit. The folks automatically created a circle around it, held hands and sang. And after about an hour, the crowd dispersed. Several of us stayed behind and just talked about the whole situation.

No crazies. No noise. No counter-demonstrations. Just a great sense of relief - and for many, newfound empowerment. Sorry again for sounding cliche', but we're just reporting what we saw.

If you went to one, leave a comment to let us know how it went. See more pictures from the Hermosa Beach vigil as you...

Comments

[Carlene]

Well, all I can say is WOW! We went to ours held at the beautiful historical Orange Plaza in OC and we had enough people show up to make a complete circle around the center park. It was amazing and it is now a memory my husband and I will never forget. My cold is worse and it is my husband's birthday but we wouldn't have missed it for anything!
What. A. Night.

[rhoda]

I went to one in West Orange, New Jersey. We gathered at a very busy intersection and felt empowered amid the honking horns and yells of support from passing cars. We need to have another worldwide "stop the war" demonstration to put the pressure on this evil administration and extend the sense of empowerment and possibilities.

[donita, Riverside, CA]

Ours was small, about 60 people. Very low key, very quiet. We were on a street corner next to the junior college here in Riverside. We had many , many cars honk their horns as they went by. Only one person shouted something hostile sounding as he went past. On the whole it was a very nice scene.

[legadillo]

What great pictures.

[sen. bob]

400 people on the Green in New Haven. No counter protesters, nothing but support for Cindy.

[Miki Durand]

Mukilteo, WA We gathered at the Harbor View Park overlooking the beautiful Puget Sound with a view of the Everett Naval Station. I counted about 115 people in attendance. I may have missed some people in the count. We held a ten minute silent vigil standing in a circle. Very powerful gathering. Many people stayed afterwards and mingled connecting with like minded folks.

[Robert]

Our vigil in Malibu gathered about 60 people and hundreds of honks and waves of support

[crholloway New Orleans]

250-300 real patriots gathered in a small inner-city park. Gentle, sweet, dignified, no strident rhetoric, poems read, flyers distributed, more vigils announced, email addresses exchanged. Affirmation that the tide is turning at last. Cindy Sheehan has generated this remarkable turning point. No longer does impeachment seem reactionary nor impossible.

[Daughter of Viet Vet]

Roughly 700+ just in one location alone here in Phoenix. The turnout was phenomenal and the vibe was fantastic. It was peaceful, but man, did we ever make our point. We all stood on the four corners of a very busy intersection, 24th street and Camelback Road. When the crosswalk lights would change, allowing pedestrians, many of us would march, chanting, "Stop the war!" or "Bush lied; thousands died!"

The honks and waves we received in support was overwhelming. Some people even pulled into parking lots and joined the vigil.

There were so-called "counter-protesters" there, less than 10 of them. No one from our side said one word to them. We all believe in freedom of speech and they are perfectly within their rights to demonstrate, too. Of course, they pulled the old "We SUPPORT our troops!" bit.

We got incredible coverage from the local news outlets. I myself was interviewed for FOX 10. The angle seemed to be a sympathetic one, although the reporter asked me pointedly:

"Do you oppose the war in Iraq?"

DVV: "Yes, I do oppose it. However, I support the troops in every single thing they do. Hating this illegal war has nothing to do with loving the people brave enough to fight it."

Another choice tidbit I left her with, when asked what we hoped to accomplish with this vigil:

"We want people to realize that "supporting the troops" involves more than slapping a magnet on the bumper of your SUV."

[donita]

Good one!!!

[Jack Craven, SW Missouri]

The closest vigil I could find was 84 miles from my home, and had only about 15-20 of us in attendance. It was however, well worth the drive to the home of a wonderful hostess just off the campus in Pittsburg, KS. Truely a grassroots gathering, but in the empty vastness of "Red" rural ameriKa, total strangers joined together for a new beginning. Our next gathering will be larger!

[Steph Mineart]

Beautiful photos!

[Capitola]

According to the sign-in sheet, 540 Cindy Supporters gathered between old City Hall and new City Hall downtown Sacramento last night. The Bush Supporters? All blow and no go. Not a one. Nadda. Zilch. Zip. Move America Forward (based in Sacramento) didn't show its ugly faces and the evening was one of quiet, respectful reflection on the sacrifices made by our military men and women and their families.

Man, did it feel great being around like-minded people. We were the old, the teenage, the children, the mothers and their babies, Vets for Peace, everyday Joes and Josies, coming together for a common cause -- stop. the. killing. It's so easy to feel alone in this effort, sitting in front of a computer, day after day, reading the news, usually bad news, on the papers of record, on blogs blogging about the bad news, interacting with friendly strangers through "comments," but stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 540 friends you've never met but who are as passionate as you are about the one thing that unites us -- PEACE -- and I know it sounds corny, but it's an overwhelmingly beautiful, uplifiting experience.

We are not alone.

We are legion.

And We, the People, will take our country back.

I believe.

[Jill]

I didn't make it to one of the vigils, but reading the comments of those who did, there's an overwhelming sense of calm, peace and caring. What a difference from the hatred, violence and disdain expressed at the pro-Bush rallies. It's quite amazing when you think about it -- the appeal to our higher selves, rather than to the negative emotions of the "other" side, gives me hope. Thanks, everyone who did go and told us about it...