Easter Day Vigil in Highland Park

For the sixth consecutive Easter, a peace demonstration was held in Highland Park at York and Figueroa. In keeping with tradition, there were signs with messages including "resurrect peace," "resurrect justice," "resurrect the planet," and "who would Jesus bomb?" Also, a potluck meal was shared with the local homeless, and there was an egg hunt.

For the most part, today was like any other Sunday in Highland Park: many businesses were open, and there was a lot of traffic. However, pro-war people apparently refrained from flipping us off, and there was much less road rage than usual.

Plenty of motorists honked in support, and there was was a fair amount of foot traffic--and we did significant educational outreach.

A candle was set out in memory of Grant, a local homeless man who died of cancer last week. Most of my memories of him, including my very last memory, are of him smiling despite his diagnosis.

Altogether, at least five people (including a veteran) held signs throughout the vigil. There seemed to be at least eight homeless people participating in the meal.

The only sign of belligerence from a passerby was an SUV driver responding to our "who would Jesus bomb?" sign. She thought we should have been in church instead of out on the corner. She went on, but I didn't make an effort to listen. (After attending these weekly vigils for five-and-a-half years, one can lose patience with people who continue to justify crimes against humanity.)