9/11 Feature: Candlelight vigil offers disscussion, community

By Jess Camp

Published Sept. 12, 2006

A candlelight vigil was held at Courthouse Square in downtown Columbia on Monday night in memory of those who died in the attacks on Sept. 11. A group of about 100 people gathered, held candles and listened to speakers who spoke about political issues.

"It's high time we recognize our fears of terrorism are being used to justify and maintain support for wars, militarism and aggression — acts that are actually weakening us, making enemies for our nation and making us less safe in the process," Mid-Missouri Peaceworks Director Mark Haim said. "If we want a future we can live with, we've got to act now to end the mythical war on terror. The permanent war that has been foisted upon us is not about keeping us safe. It's all about keeping us fearful and keeping those who exploit these fears in power," Haim said.

The candlelight vigil has been held on Sept. 11 for the past five years.

"The response to Sept. 11 has been worldly, and everyone has been pulled in," the Rev. Maureen Dickmann said. "This is our response to world violence."

Some of this year's attendees were there to pay their respects to the victims instead of protesting the political aspects of the war on terrorism.

"I have a daughter who teaches at a school that was in the destruction area of the attacks," Ruth Heaney said. "She told me that it was terrible for the schools, and a year of teaching time was wasted because they had to do therapy instead of teach. Afterwards, a young student drew a picture of the Twin Towers with a monster in the bottom. It made me sad," she said.

Willie Green, a member of Grass Roots Organizing, said she remembers where she was when she found out about the attacks.

"I came because I care about Sept. 11," Green said. "I was pregnant at the time. I was cleaning when I heard, and I cried all day."

Melissa Nigh said she advocates pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq.

"I am a member of an intervention movement called 'Troops Home Fast,'" she said. "I have been fasting for 36 days. I want the troops to be pulled out of Iraq by the end of the year."

The speakers at the event had their own agendas. The main focus of the speeches was on stopping the war.

"Sept. 11 does not have to be a moment in history to justify rage and retaliation," said the Rev. Larry Brown, the chairman of the Interfaith Peace Alliance of Mid-Missouri.

The group will begin eating again on Sept. 21.

After Brown spoke, a group of 12 girls took their turn in front of the microphone. The girls were part of a singing group called Buds of Peace, and were each from a different country. The countries represented included India, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Palestine, Germany, Bosnia, Egypt and Indonesia.

Next to take the microphone was Carolyn Mathews, a local lawyer and board member of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"The predictions from 1984 and Brave New World are happening in the USA now," Mathews said. "We don't need to feel content with feeling small and disempowered in our homes."