Jesuit's for Peace, Northern Washington Monument

Erin O'Brien of Jesuits for Peace was walking home from work last year when she saw the Peace Path, estimated to have had up to 2,000 participants. Someone gave her a sign and she stood. She came back this year on her own volition "I just wanted to do something positive today instead of being angry like so many others are. That's why I'm here."

The turnout this year was less than a quarter of last year's. To this, Erin says,"The lesser numbers
might have to do with [the fact that] there isn't the threat of war. I mean, we're at war, there's a lot
to protest still, but there's not as much to protest and the feelings around September aren't as strong as last year. It's more of a reality, I mean, we're at war. People have grown numb to it."

Candace Veit, also of Jesuits for Peace came out for the Peace Path because she thinks "to stand for [peace] even when everyone else advocates for war is important. I just want this day to be remembered as what it was and not equate it to a war. Peace is for the world and not just for our country."