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Lafayette Park March 19, 2008
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Lafayette Park March 19, 2008
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We walked to the park from the nearest metro station. We were lost at first, but met a lady who was also attending the protest. She talked about her and her husbands previous protests. We went one street to far, but turned around and saw some interesting architecture. As we got closer, there were signs pointing us where to go.
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Even with getting lost, we arrived a bit early. It was still light outside, therefore you could see the newly blooming trees. This created a very serene environment in the green little city park. There weren't many people that had arrived yet.
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People started showing up and began to light there candles. It was beginning to get a little darker. It was a windy day, so keeping the candles from blowing out was a hard task. Groups were in front of the White House as well as in the park. There was a mix of school groups, work professionals, and others that showed up.
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People started to show up a little after 7 PM. People walked by the White House, and then went into Lafayette Park. The park is located directly behind the White House. There is a great view of the fountain and the flag, however, due to security reasons, it is completely fenced in.
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The candles were a simple way to represent the war and all the people who have lost their lives. There were not many people at the protest however, so the light from the candles did not light up the park, but almost everyone who was there carried a candle in remembrance.
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The police officers were there and ready, even before the protesters were. The road near the White House was frequented by important looking people in cars as well as police cars.
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Some protesters were carrying signs that were handed out by the people holding the vigil. Some brought there own candles, but luckily candles were handed out as well.
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The turnout at this protest was much smaller than I had expected. The group is pictured above, barely filling a corner of the park. Because of the small group of people though, it was able to stay quiet. The candlelight vigil was a quiet time to remember those who have died in Iraq. After the main group spoke, people broke into little groups for prayers, thoughts, poems and other artistic displays of civil disobedience.
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The people have not taken over the park, and the lights that take over are not from the candles, but from the lamps and buildings in the distance.
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The park remained rather empty, which produced an eerie and solemn feel. This added to the point of the protest. This feeling could only be produced with the lack of people and crowdedness at the protest.
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The White House looks very imposing on the hill behind the park. It is very interesting to see the White House at night. Since light against the dark of the night is the main focus of vigils, it is really interesting to see how the light looks different against buildings then is does on the park. The buildings have sharp edges that appear more scary in the dark, but the park has a much softer, natural look with the light of the candles, lamps, and building lights. This translates into pictures that convey the feeling towards the government when paired with the other pictures of the park during the vigil. It shows the government as shady, as opposed to the in the park.
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At the end of the day, people go back home, and all returns to normal. The vigil lasted for less than an hour, and the protesters came and went with little noise or disturbance.
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After everyone is gone, the park is very dark and quiet. In the absence of candles, the torches are now the main light inside the park.
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