Candlelight Vigil for Tucson Victims

Over 100 people came to a vigil this evening to protest the tragic events that unfolded in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, January 8. The candlelight vigil was held in front of KMJ 580 AM, which broadcasts Rush Limbaugh and other right wing talk radio personalities.

Protesters held signs hoping that Rep. Gabby Giffords gets well soon. Other signs mourned the shooting 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,

The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee organized the candlelight vigil where people stood on the sidewalk in front of KMJ.

The vigil was intended as a complete repudiation of this abhorrent act. In a statement, organizers said that they 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.”

Organizers said 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.”

There were supporters of KMJ present, but they were small in number and did not interfere with the candlelight vigil.