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What started out as a request to meet with President Bush about the loss of her son in the war in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan has turned into a nationwide collaborative effort to bring attention to the war. Camping outside President Bush's ranch and holding a vigil until he meets with her, Sheehan has mobilized activists throughout the country. Across the country, groups of people are also holding vigils in solidarity with Sheehan's vigil. Unfortunately, Sheehan had to leave Crawford to take care of her ill mother, yet her vigil and others throughout the country have continued. Sheehan's story has personalized the war for many Americans, especially those who want their loved ones to return home. Throughout the country, families, grassroots organizers, politicians and especially the media have provided Sheehan with unflagging support, proving that one person can make a difference.

Similarly, other groups have planned vigils to bring attention to issues they are faced with in their communities. Vigils are a peaceful and effective way for local and national groups to raise awareness within the community.

No Casino Gettysburg

Background

On July 5, 2004 the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act passed. Passage of the legislation allowed 14 new casinos to be built in the state. One year later, residents of Gettysburg found themselves struggling to keep a casino out of the historic city. With growing support for Gettysburg preservation, Susan Star Paddock, spokesperson/chair of No Casino Gettysburg felt a vigil would be a great way to bring the community together. The vigil to commemorate the anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg was planned for July 3rd in the hopes of igniting more community involvement in deterring investors from building a casino.

The vigil was attended by over 200 participants. Due to efficient planning, No Casino Gettysburg was able to make use of the same stage and sound equipment of a Celtic band that played on the same lawn as the vigil earlier in the day. They even incorporated the band in part of the vigil, so the overall cost of the vigil was very little. The vigil also featured speakers from four national groups that work on historic preservation.

The peaceful vigil brought people from all over the country, and even tourists came to celebrate the importance of American history. Paddock felt it was important to maintain a positive direction for the entire event and campaign. They made an effort to not attack investors, but instead focused on the importance of the land and surrounding community. The vigil also educated participants on the significance of the battle at Gettysburg and how different America would have been had it not occurred.

Paddock and her staff publicized the vigil by putting up flyers around the city, sending emails and planning petition drives. She also promoted the vigil to the media. Because of the nature of the event, it was very appealing to different types of participants. Unlike a rally, which can sometimes have political strife, the vigil was a time for families and community members to come together to celebrate and remember the past, while bringing attention to the critical issue of preservation.

Lessons for the future

Paddock feels it is important to continue an ongoing campaign against the casino. The group has continued outreach after the vigil including attending PA gaming control board meetings and conducting lobby visits with state government. While not allowed to speak during gaming control board meetings, activists break through the silence by wearing t-shirts reading No Casino Gettysburg. Paddock is exploring all possible avenues to slow down the process before any possible casino fills out an application for building in Gettysburg.

Adrian Fine, the Director of the Northeast field office for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was one of the speakers at the vigil. He felt the vigil was a time for local residents to come together and celebrate the heritage of the community in order to preserve its history. Vigils are a great way to elevate emotional solidarity between participants.

Washington Animal Rescue League

To commemorate National Homeless Animal Day, the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) along with many other animal welfare groups, held a vigil at the U.S. Capitol on August 20. With over 150 attendees, WARL felt the event was very successful for their first vigil. Jennifer Brickman, director of marketing and events from WARL, located in Washington, DC, along with others, planned the event to bring attention to the growing animal overpopulation problem, hoping this will encourage adoptive agencies to provide spay or neuter services before adoption.

Groups conducted outreach for the event through flyers, ads in the Washington Post, community calendars, website postings, press releases, and media appearances. Since there has never been a large event in the capitol in observance of National Homeless Animal Day, Brickman felt this would be a great opportunity to collaborate with similar advocacy groups, and the backdrop of the nation's capitol would have a tremendous impact.

The event drew in many different types of participants, including animal activists, the media, concerned pet owners, and of course, pets. The event also featured speakers from national and local animal welfare organizations, who had tables to inform the public about what they can do to help. Commencing with an adoptable animals parade, the vigil provided a great opportunity for activists to come together while also enjoying musical entertainment and participating in a moment of reflection.

WARL received plenty of positive feedback from the event and ideas for future events. Since this was their first vigil, WARL was very creative about their event. Although they weren't allowed to have open flames on the Capitol lawn, they made due by using white glow sticks. Surprisingly, with little research, they learned this was an inexpensive alternative to candles.

Lessons for the Future

Even though the event was successful, Brickman felt they were negatively affected by the timing. Since congress was out of session and the event took place the weekend before school began, there wasn't as large of a turnout as there might have been. Brickman recommended scheduling an event like this far in advance, leaving plenty of time to amend the plans for unforeseen events.

Brickman also suggested considering all types of venues for a specific event. Although the capitol building was a very dramatic backdrop for the event, because of the layout of the lawn this kept attendees very spread out. In instances where there is a smaller crowd, a more enclosed location can bring the group closer together, often increasing a feeling of solidarity among participants.

Asia and Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center

Background

In collaboration with other advocacy groups, the Asia and Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center (APIWFSC) located in Seattle, Washington, holds annual candlelight vigils in memory of people who have died due to domestic violence. The vigil originated over 10 years ago on the anniversary of the death of Phoebe Dizon, Veronica Laureta, Susana Remerata and her unborn child who were killed by Susana's husband in the King County Courthouse. The event has since improved each year with additional encouragement for the community to come together to address the issue of domestic violence. With approximately 150 attendees every year, the event has continued to raise awareness.

Judith Panlasigui, the youth and young adult program coordinator at APIWFSC, has worked with many other groups to coordinate the event. Since the event is organized by a volunteer staff, APIWFSC encourages other domestic violence groups to co-sponsor the event to increase funding, outreach, and planning. Co-sponsors are then included on all press releases and are given tables at the event to provide additional information about their organization and where people can go for help. APIWFSC also conducted outreach to different grocery stores to solicit food donations for the event.

Every year, the vigil consists of a short march in front of the courthouse and a 30 minute program outside the courthouse. The program usually includes speakers and performances, such as spoken word or choirs. Co-sponsors are encouraged to bring banners and signs for the event and the march. Past speakers have included public officials, domestic violence advocates, city council members, attorneys, faith based leaders, and youth groups. The event has continued to be very dynamic each year with new and different additions, such as silent witness exhibits. These exhibits include life-size silhouettes of victims of domestic violence, and stories about how they died. APIWFSC has also included clothesline exhibits, where victims make t-shirts about their experiences. These types of exhibits can be altered to work for all types of organizations and issues. The vigils conclude with a reception, which includes testimonials from domestic violence victims, food, and time for attendees to gain information from other organizations.

Success Stories

The vigils provide a safe space for advocates, families, artists, and community leaders to come together and share ideas of what can be done to make change, as well as reflect upon what has happened. These vigils have had a big impact on the Asian and Pacific Islander community. By addressing domestic violence, APIWFSC has begun to break the silence of abuse. The vigils bring the issue out in the open, educating participants, while also reassuring women and men there are places to go to for help.

The group has also seen a greater youth involvement. In the past three years, the vigils have been predominately youth driven - often including college and high school volunteers. This has been very inspiring to older participants and coordinators, who feel the increased youth involvement provides hope for future generations.

Lessons for the Future

Because APIWFSC coordinates the vigils with many other groups, Panlasigui feels they are a very economical way to promote and address their concerns. Collaborating with other groups is a great way for an organization that has low funding to promote its issues and create new relationships with similar organizations.

APIWFSC was established to help the community. By working with members of the community, they have continued to learn what issues to focus on. Panlasigui advises organizations to solicit feedback from the community — it helps to educate the public as to the availability of the nonprofit organization while helping to shape its services.

Panlasigui recommended beginning to plan early for an event, especially when trying to receive endorsements. She also recommended forming relationships with local press. Since APIWFSC has been planning these events for years, they have maintained substantial relationships with media. However, Panlasigui recommended groups who don't have strong relations to contact reporters at least a month in advance.

Throughout history vigils have been a way for people to commemorate an event. More recently groups are finding vigils to be a low cost and effective way to raise awareness within a community. By commemorating a holiday, past event, or to celebrate the life of those who have passed, organizations are tying these issues together with current legislation and problems that are facing their communities. These groups have shown that by holding vigils, they have successfully mobilized and encouraged community members to work together.