Ross Pipes, a local organizer, said the vigils are planned to coincide with the presidential inauguration in Washington. “My cousin, James Warren, Jr., was among the nearly 55,000 soldiers who were killed in Vietnam,” said Pipes. “And while the President and his guests dance at inaugural balls on January 20, people will continue to die in Iraq.” Those attending the vigil are asked to bring and light a candle and to sign peace registers which will be delivered to Congressman David Price. Local ministers and community leaders will read words of peace spoken by Dr. King, who in 1964, at age 35, was the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace prize. On the subject of war, Dr. King said: “Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.” The United Voices of Praise Choir, a local result of Dr. King’s dreams of racial reconciliation, will sing at the vigil. The mixed race choir’s musical director, Charles Bradshaw, will lead the choir and vigil participants in songs to inspire the soul and reaffirm for all Dr. King’s dream for peace on earth. Downtown Carrboro Map | Events | Prices | Restaurants | UniqueOrn Enterprises
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