In spite of pouring rain, attendees came together at Margaret T. Hance Park for a peace vigil organized by Safety Pin Nation AZ to encourage local residents to stay politically engaged in their community for the long-term.
The rally saw a number of diverse groups and causes, including human rights, immigration reform, facilitating access to higher education and health care, helping the homeless, diversity and respect for the environment.
Many attendees held handcrafted signs that displayed the cause they identified with. Others held LED candles while singing along with the event’s choir.
Mary Marquardt said she attended the event to show support for a cause she has fought for throughout a large part of her life.
“I’ve been fighting (for) women’s rights issues my whole adult life. I’m still able to, so I’m here,” she said.
The retiree said she was impressed by the turnout considering the bad weather. “A lot of sturdy women here,” Marquardt said.
Peace vigil coordinators and Safety Pin Nation AZ founders Lee Ann Silva and her husband, Yas Silva said they faced a lot of online harassment in the development of the vigil.
Lee Ann Silva said that some tried to hinder the success of the gathering by suggesting that violence would arise at the event. “And [yet] here we are,” said Lee Ann Silva. “People are singing, happy, smiling.”
Lee Ann Silva said that one of the greatest things she saw during the vigil was a strong sense of community. “Everyone is getting to know one another and asking why they’re here and what their plan of action is,” she said.
She hopes that the nature of events like these will create a stronger online connection, something she said is essential for the expansion of the Safety Pin Nation AZ Movement.
“Our objective is to connect people face to face, so that when we are developing things online and pushing one another to keep moving forward, we know that there’s real people on the other end, people that actually care,” said Lee Ann Silva.
Whitney Johnson came to the rally with his wife as an active way to express his concern over the current political climate.
“This election is a step backwards for America,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he and his wife plan to be part of other rallies in the future.
Dazo McGill, who was part of the event’s choir, said he was happy to see different causes all sharing a message of peace.
“This event is a cornerstone,” he said. “This is something that can start to show people how to live in peaceful union.”
McGill said he hopes the vigil will be repeated elsewhere. “I want this to act as a wave from here in Phoenix, through Arizona, through the rest of the United States and through the world,” he said.
The choir wrapped up the event by singing one last song: Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon. By mid-song everyone in the crowd was chanting together.
More information about the Safety Pin Nation AZ movement can be found here.
Contact the reporter at amestra4@asu.edu.
