The threat of war seemed more imminent this week, bringing hundreds of people to Bethesda for a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening.
The vigil, a weekly event at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues in Bethesda since December, grew exponentially this week.
“I’d say there are five to eight times more people than usual,” said Peter Vos, one of the organizers of the peace rally. “I think it clearly reflects the impact of the National Council of Churches global call,” Vos said.
Between 150 and 200 demonstrators gathered on each of the four corners and the pedestrian island of the busy intersection from 7 to 8 p.m. on March 16. Vos explained that the group does not favor simply allowing the Iraqi leader to walk away without any consequences.
“It’s not simply the choice between war or appeasement. There are a broad range of ideas in that gray area in between,” Vos said. He also stated why those other options are being ignored. “I think that nuanced a message doesn’t play well on a public stage.”
After standing quietly for most of the vigil, several people began leading the group in song. They started with “Down by the Riverside,” before moving through other peace classics like, “Give Peace a Chance” and “Kumbaya” and traditional patriotic songs like “God Bless America.”
The closest thing to a counter-demonstration came when an SUV blaring “The Ballad of the Green Berets” drove through the intersection, but demonstrators ignored it.
Many demonstrators were attending the vigil for the first time. Although they didn’t expect the demonstrations to halt the war, they still felt it could have an impact.
“I don’t think it’s going to affect the Bush administration, but I think it might affect some members of Congress,” said Irene Eckstrand, of Rockville.
“It reinforces my beliefs,” said her son Nathan Eckstrand.
“A lot of other people think its not going to do anything, but at least people will realize there’s something going on,” said Diana Wells, a student at B-CC high school.
“It affects the people who do see us,” said Nathan Eckstrand.