Candlelight Vigil for Tucson Victims

In light of the tragic events that unfolded in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, January 8, with the senseless shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords and others, that resulted in the deaths of

· U.S. District Court Judge John Roll,

· 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green,

· 30-year-old Gifford aide, Gabe Zimmerman,

· 76-year-old Dorothy Morris,

· 76-year-old Dorwin Stoddard and

· 79-year-old Phyllis Schneck,

and 14 other innocent injured constituents, the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee is organizing a candlelight vigil for Tuesday, January 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 pm in front of the KMJ studio on Shaw Avenue one block west of Palm Avenue (1071 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno). We will gather on the public sidewalk.

This vigil is intended as a complete repudiation of this abhorrent act. We share Sheriff Clarence Dupnik’s thoughts: “That’s the sad thing about what’s going on in America: pretty soon we’re not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people willing to subject themselves to serve in public office. …

“When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous.”

Rep. Gifford’s own prophetic words during her recent campaign best summarize the consequences of hate speech: “We’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list. But the thing is the way that she has it depicted has the cross-hairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they’ve got to realize there’s consequences to that.”

Bring a candle and/or a sign with the name and age of one of the victims (see the beginning of this e-mail).



Anyone who is shocked and disgusted by this senseless attack and shares our concerns regarding hate speech, weapons and violence is invited to participate. Please feel free to extend this invitation to like-minded people and organizations.