Dozens gather for Capitol Hill vigil
Washington (CNN) - Some knew Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, others just wanted an outlet for emotions they felt in the wake of the Arizona shooting rampage. In all, more than 50 marchers gathered on Capitol Hill Saturday night to honor the victims.
The group braved sub-freezing temperatures and gusty winds, marching to the Capitol and up the west steps to hold the vigil.
The winds made it difficult to keep the candles lit. But the crowd, some with tears in their eyes and others hugging, held a moment of silence and briefly talked of the shootings.
"I hope today will be the last day there will be any kind of violence against elected officials in this country," one woman said as the crowd formed a circle with the Capitol's dome in the background.
One marcher taking part was student Jonathna Pitel, who knew Giffords from his days living in Tuscon.
"It's been a day for reflection," he said. "A day for gathering with other friends from Arizona trying to make sure everyone we know is OK, and praying for the people who have been shot.
Pitel said of the turnout for the quickly-arranged event, "it's important to be feel solidarity with people".
He noted that "skepticism about people is natural" after an incident like this, "so it's wonderful to be with people, no matter what their connection is because they feel that grief."
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Profoundly saddened and infinitely enraged.
It is very sad to have people this sick in our society, how do they get this far. God bless the injured to recover soon.
Timothy McVeigh in 1995
The Olympic Bomber 1996
Now this, during another Democratic Administration, another angry white male.
The vile anger of the right and those who listen to Hannity, Palin, Beck, Limbaugh and FoxNews cannot be ignored anymore. We cannot allow the angry white male to roam free to do harm to this country.
I am from Arizona. I don’t vote anymore because there are so many idiot republicans in this state that my vote is useless. I am a teacher with 9 years to go before I can retire. Hopefully our public schools will not be privatized like our state universities. I just want to get my years in and get the hell out of this insane state. Morons who kill nine year old children and Democratic politicians are a dime a dozen in this state. The average Arizonian is a crazy right wing lunatic, who enjoys right wing talk shows, and attends an extremest right wing church on Sundays. P.S. I am a devout Christian, I believe in small government, and I love to shoot my guns. Oh, and I eat meat everyday. So believe me when I tell you this state is on the verge of becoming as radical as Nazi Germany or Jones Town. Please Pray for Us in Arizona.
I fear that the viciousness of the political extremists will bring more of this type of violence. Our nation has become so polarize and our people so self-righteous that we are becoming more like the Middle East and less like a democracy. We have lost all sense of respect for anyone with different backgrounds, life choices, and opinions. My thoughts and prayers are with the families suffering terrible loss from this insanity tonight. I'd like to think this will change the hateful rhetoric (lock and load, crosshairs, etc.) but I'm too realistic to hold much hope for that.
Hey sarah palin, you got one taker on your crosshairs map, real good sarah, now how many more? Big mouth tuffy arn't ya.
I am sure that it is a very sombre mood right now at the capitol and am still hoping that we are not going to be hearing about anyone else succumbing to their injuries that they have sustained in the shooting at the grocery store earlier today and am still completely shocked and alarmed over the amount of violence displayed it this shooting incident by the suspect and send all my condolences to those that have lost someone and pray for all of those that have sustained injuries from the shooting hope that all of the many make full and speedy recoveries
it is so sad that there are crack heads out there that have nothing more in life then hurting others tring to make a change for better! find this moran andhang them for all to see! this family is hurting and needs to see that you are just evil!
What's with the third person from the left? Christ, the zombies are among us.
It is completely hypocritical to have a vigil unless they use the time enact strict gun control laws.
only 50 poeple? How pointless.
Even if they were all senators it would not be enough to enact gun control.
Yes, it is time for all of us to come together and put a stop to the madness. Many are emtionally uncomfortable and dissatisfied with life and tend to blame, strike out and become unaware of the collective welfare of us all. This includes our environment as well. We should heed the many wake up calls we are given and make personal as well as community/social/political Positve changes in the hopes of obtaining balance in this world. There are many positive possibilities not yet activated. Let us all light a candle and in silence find peace and answers.
Meanwhile I hope that Gov. Brewster does a little sole searching and that the people question their votes back in November. I would not be proud of my state or what it now stands for. Keep electing republicans andtheir hate and this is what you get!