This photo is of Bruce, a Veteran For Peace from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was one of dozens of activists I met during my vigil today in front of the White House. Actually, Washington, DC is a beehive of activist excitement tonight as everyone converges on the city for tomorrow's huge antiwar rally and march. It starts with a rally at noon in front of the White House that will be followed by a march to the west side of the Capitol. Much as I loved today's opportunities to meet and talk with so many amazing people from around the country, I have mixed feelings about being part of tomorrow's activities. I'll be there for sure, but, for me, large demonstrations like this no longer feel as effective as my solitary vigils. Yes, being part of a huge crowd of like-minded folks is sweet, but it also feels like we're preaching to the choir. Since these marches occur on Saturdays when all the city workers are off, no one sees us except small numbers of tourists. The media gives these events little attention, and if they do cover them, they always downplay the numbers of persons participating. We're presented as a fringe group that has little credence, even though people go to great efforts to come here from all parts of the U.S. and even from other countries. I've been to more of these large DC marches than I can remember, and I may be wrong but I think tomorrow is going to be a big one.

So, why do I say that I think my solitary vigils have a better chance of being effective than the big demos, and what do I mean by the word "effective?" I define effective as being capable of changing minds and hearts, in this case regarding our attitudes about peace & war, freedom & oppression, and whether we see our global neighbors as sisters and brothers or enemies. For me, solitary vigils have that potential because they focus not on the already-converted but on the questioners, those who ride the fence in their understanding of an issue, and even those who disagree with the vigiler's viewpoint as presented on his or her sign. And the major difference between a large demonstration and a solitary vigil is that the latter, when done with a spirit of openness and in a non-confrontational way, encourages one-to-one dialogue, and to my way of thinking, dialogue is what can change minds and hearts, the vigiler's first of all. On the contrary, most speeches given at a rally like tomorrow's are filled with rhetoric that excludes all points of view except those held by the organizers and the majority of the marchers. I find these speeches are often strident, critical, and dripping in sarcastic, meanspirited portrayals of the leaders whose actions they are protesting. Many of the participants' signs also reflect this negativity.

I've come to the awareness that if I don't model the peace I want nations to practice towards one another, then I am as much a part of the problem as the war or leader I am protesting. In order to model such a spirit of peace, I must set aside my rigid ideas of what is "right" and be willing to listen, really listen, to the views of those who disagree with me. This is VERY hard to do, at least for me. But listening is the heart of dialogue. It is very different from debate where each person is trying to talk the other into their way of thinking; instead it is where each person--or even just one person--is trying to understand the other and find common ground. My personal experiences of solitary vigils have afforded me opportunities to practice the art of dialogue, and in so doing, have opened the door to change, both within myself and the person with whom I am engaged.

But even if dialogue is not a major part of a solitary vigil, as was the case for me this time, just being out there is enough. People are touched by your presence, by your willingness to stand up publicly for your beliefs even if they disagree with you. And anyone who reads your sign takes it in like they take in food or the air they breathe. Whether they like it or not, your message takes up permanent residence in their minds and hearts. Just as we become what we eat, so we become what we see and read.

So, yes, I will be at tomorrow's rally and march but it can never surpass what I have already experienced during these past five days of vigiling by myself on behalf of negotiations with our neighbor Iran rather than war. There are no words to express how grateful I am to have had this opportunity, and how grateful I am to you, my PBase sisters and brothers from around the world, for your ongoing support. I could not have done it without you.

I took many photos of the wonderful people who crossed my path today and, as always, you can see these newly-uploaded images by going to my Iranian Vigil for Peace gallery. CLICK HERE to see them.