Peace Vigil reports from Reading
Reading Peace Group via IMC | 26.09.2001 10:47
Publicity for the first Vigil For Peace in Reading, Berkshire, UK was posted by e-mail and flyposters on Tuesday 11th September by members of Reading Peace Group. "Sensationalist reporting of violence in the United
States of America and culprit searching was already being broadcast by the BBC in the UK during news bulletins and current affairs programmes on Tuesday evening." states Chris Aldridge of the Reading Peace Group.
Holding a Vigil For Peace was felt to offer an opportunity to help counteract the effects of calls for revenge attacks and potentially violent reprisals that were soon being reported widely by the international news media.
The first Vigil For Peace in Reading on Friday 14th was sparsely attended but was felt to be special because of the state of shock still being experienced by many people. Situated by a busy town centre street, some folk stopped their cars and came and lit candles set out around the
monument in Town Hall Square. A man came with pots of 'free' coffee from the Town Hall and youngsters from nearby bars came to argue that peace vigils would achieved nothing. A banner proclaiming 'Declare Peace' was displayed and paper dove peace symbols were attached to the monument in the square.
Press photographers from the local newspapers came and 'arranged' us into a group photo'! To our astonishment, one of the pictures was used in a full
front-page feature of the following Tuesday's evening paper together with an article of interviews and an editorial that sides more with a precautionary approach to reacting to United States of America calls for
military reprisals.
Because of further publicity and the newspaper articles, the second Vigil for Peace on Friday 21st Sep. was attended by many more people who this time were called upon collectively to decide dates for future vigils, and
individually to write personal petitioning letters to national and institutional heads. 'Declare Peace' badges made for the occasion were worn by everyone attending. A local government councilor that attended offered to try and get 'official recognition' for future Vigils For
Peace in Reading.
On Saturday 22nd Sep. a CND petition for peace was signed by 260 people in Reading at a stall set up by the Reading Peace Group and at the International Solidarity Centre (RISC). We understand that CND are calling for a national Peace Vigil from 6pm on the evening of any first day of
military attacks by conflicting parties or countries. If this were to occur, people in Reading will be ready to hold another Vigil For Peace at the Town Hall Square.
Saturday 29th Sep. at 12pm is the next scheduled Vigil For Peace in Reading. Please join us if you can.
Reading Peace Group
c/- RISC, 35 London St, Reading, RG1 4PS
peacegroup@gn.apc.org
States of America and culprit searching was already being broadcast by the BBC in the UK during news bulletins and current affairs programmes on Tuesday evening." states Chris Aldridge of the Reading Peace Group.
Holding a Vigil For Peace was felt to offer an opportunity to help counteract the effects of calls for revenge attacks and potentially violent reprisals that were soon being reported widely by the international news media.
The first Vigil For Peace in Reading on Friday 14th was sparsely attended but was felt to be special because of the state of shock still being experienced by many people. Situated by a busy town centre street, some folk stopped their cars and came and lit candles set out around the
monument in Town Hall Square. A man came with pots of 'free' coffee from the Town Hall and youngsters from nearby bars came to argue that peace vigils would achieved nothing. A banner proclaiming 'Declare Peace' was displayed and paper dove peace symbols were attached to the monument in the square.
Press photographers from the local newspapers came and 'arranged' us into a group photo'! To our astonishment, one of the pictures was used in a full
front-page feature of the following Tuesday's evening paper together with an article of interviews and an editorial that sides more with a precautionary approach to reacting to United States of America calls for
military reprisals.
Because of further publicity and the newspaper articles, the second Vigil for Peace on Friday 21st Sep. was attended by many more people who this time were called upon collectively to decide dates for future vigils, and
individually to write personal petitioning letters to national and institutional heads. 'Declare Peace' badges made for the occasion were worn by everyone attending. A local government councilor that attended offered to try and get 'official recognition' for future Vigils For
Peace in Reading.
On Saturday 22nd Sep. a CND petition for peace was signed by 260 people in Reading at a stall set up by the Reading Peace Group and at the International Solidarity Centre (RISC). We understand that CND are calling for a national Peace Vigil from 6pm on the evening of any first day of
military attacks by conflicting parties or countries. If this were to occur, people in Reading will be ready to hold another Vigil For Peace at the Town Hall Square.
Saturday 29th Sep. at 12pm is the next scheduled Vigil For Peace in Reading. Please join us if you can.
Reading Peace Group
c/- RISC, 35 London St, Reading, RG1 4PS
peacegroup@gn.apc.org
Reading Peace Group via IMC
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