Anti-War Rallies Held Across

The State

HARTFORD (AP) –– Peace activists gathered at sites across the state last Sunday night as part of a worldwide vigil against a war with Iraq.

More than 300 people rallied at Elizabeth Park in Hartford. The group carried candles and sang anti-war and patriotic songs such as “America” and “This Land is Your Land,” The Hartford Courant reported.

Charles Srams of West Hartford said he thought it was important to attend the vigil to show that an anti-war movement exists.

“It’s a lot stronger and a lot deeper than seems to appear on most media,” he said.

Norman Barstow of Hartford added that peace activists must show solidarity.

“We’re not part of the 60 percent,” that polls indicate favor war in some way, he said.

Rallies were held around the world Sunday as part of the Global Vigil for Peace. People opposed to the war gathered at 7 pm at sites across the globe.

An estimated 6,600 vigils were held in 138 countries, according to the website MoveOn.org.

In Connecticut, vigils were held West Hartford, Granby, Middletown, Litchfield, New London, Glastonbury, Simsbury, New Britain, and many other towns.