On Sunday evening, March 16, with a U.S. led war on Iraq looming,
1,000 Baltimore residents held a rally for peace at the Washington
Monument. Partipants held lighted candles in the dark, forming a
huge circle around the monument. The crowd was larger than
anticipated and was part of a world-wide vigil for peace, the idea
of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In cities and towns around the globe people held candles for
peace and hoped that war would be avoided. In Baltimore the crowd
sang "All We Are Saying Is Give Peace a Chance" and "We Shall
Overcome" as candles flickered in the breeze. It was a lovely
scene of candlelight and music in the darkness. Many were solemn
because the situation is very serious. Contemplating a unilateral
attack on Iraq by the U.S. is a staggering thought to millions of
Americans.

Over the last six months peace demonstrations around the world
have drawn millions of people. Baltimore residents have held
numerous peace rallies. Some at the demonstration on Sunday were
attending their first antiwar protest. In the face of so much
darkness, lighting candles for peace gave a measure of hope that
the horrors of war can be averted.