Two vigils calling for an end to the war in Ukraine took place in Palo Alto on Sunday, March 6, in response to calls for a national day of action. Both gatherings were held at the traditional protest site at the intersection of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. Special thanks to ProBonoPhoto for covering the actions. All of the following photos were taken by ProBonoPhoto founder Jack Owicki.
Noon to 1:00 p.m. – Silent Vigil sponsored by Women’s Int’l League for Peace & Freedom / Peninsula-Palo Alto Branch; Co-sponsors: Peninsula Peace & Justice Center, Peace Action of San Mateo County, Mountain View Voices for Peace & Justice, and Palo Alto’s Raging Grannies.
Click here to see the entire gallery of this gathering at ProBonoPhoto
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Candlelight vigil sponsored by Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice
A report from MVPJ:
Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice participated in the Global Day of Action for Peace in Ukraine on Sunday, March 6, 2022. More than 100 people gathered at the corner of Embarcadero and El Camino with signs calling for prayers for peace, solidarity and support for refugees, and handouts with suggested actions for peace-building and places to donate. The event ended with candlelight and prayers.
Ellen Stromberg from MVPJ and Congregations Beth Am and Etz Chayim shared words from
Ukrainian Rabbi Julia Gris who had just escaped to Poland, and with whom Ellen had spoken that morning. Ellen reported that while Gris has very little with her now, “What she does have is her understanding that the world is also made up of good people, who are kind and caring. Her hope is in the humanity of everyone reaching out.”
Eileen Altman from MVPJ and First Congregational Church offered a prayer, concluding with these words:
“Comfort the children and heed their cries to be saved from harm in this world. Make us a people who love our children, all of our children, more than we love greed, power, and control. Overturn governments of tyranny wherever they are found. Disrupt the intentions of evil and give us power to stand against demonic forces of greed and control. Grant that peace and justice come to warring nations by the hands of those courageous enough to stand and study war no more.”
Click here to see the entire gallery of this gathering at ProBonoPhoto
