We attended a candlelight vigil for peace several Sundays ago near Lake Merritt in Oakland. I won't bore you with my own narrative. Local columnist Jon Carroll wrote about it far more beautifully than I ever could. Read the entire column here.

My favorite paragraphs:

There is nothing more heartening than a peace vigil. It is an act of faith among strangers. Everyone was aware of the realities, and everyone was there anyway because something is better than nothing, and actions speak louder than words.

It is said that the plan for the Sunday night vigil came from Desmond Tutu. It is an old idea, one that has been repeated through the centuries -- standing in silence. It means what it means. The silence becomes more powerful as it goes on. It becomes tangible, a cloud of conscience. As someone once told me: Hope is an obligation.

And there will be a day after tomorrow, and our presence will be required then too. Social change happens when a small group of people hold fast to an idea despite overwhelming odds. It doesn't always work, of course, but staying home never works.

Here are some photos including a large, panoramic shot.

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