Longest-running peace vigil in the United States turns 50 this month

Bellingham – Whatcom Peace Vigil started in December, 1966 and won Peace Builder Award this year

For fifty years, the Bellingham - Whatcom Peace Vigil has held a space for peace on the corners of Magnolia and Cornwall in front of the old Federal Building in downtown Bellingham. It started in December 1966 when local peace activist Colleen Dickinson and two Quakers, Rosemary and Howard Harris, stood in silent opposition to the Vietnam War. The first vigil took place in front of the city's Christmas tree; then it moved to its current location where the originators and their children vowed to witness for peace every Friday until the war ended.

Today, fifty years later, the intersection is lively with several dozen regular vigilers who stand for peace, nonviolence, and social justice every Friday afternoon from 4:00 - 5:00pm rain, snow, or shine. Vigilers are individuals, members of local faith communities or organizations such as Veterans for Peace, the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, and Occupy Bellingham. Most carry hand-made banners and signs with messages about peace and justice. “You might consider us part of the alternative media,’” says 92-year old Dotty Dale, currently the vigil’s oldest participant. The youngest current vigiler is eight years old and even dogs on leash are frequent attendees, showing by their presence that they’re not war mongrels.

Participation has waxed and waned over the decades but there has never been a break to speak of in the weekly peace vigil. On occasion it draws huge crowds that overflow to all four corners of the intersection and down the block, such as following the recent presidential election, or during the lead up to the Iraq war in the early 2000’s. Pro-war demonstrators showed up as well during that time, including a caravan of 220 semi- trucks from Whatcom County that blew their horns and exhaust at the peace vigilers. Now, it it common that people in passing cars respond to the “Honk for Peace” sign, give a thumbs up, or call out “Thank you!” to show their support for peacemakers.

The Bellingham — Whatcom Peace Vigil was a recipient of this year’s community “Peace Builder” Award from the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.

While no one is in charge of the Bellingham-Whatcom Peace Vigil, Vietnam Vet Kerry Johnson brings the signs, the colorful flags made by local artist Harold Niven, and the large portable scaffolding that displays the vigil’s large banner as well as Earth flags and an information board. Often the local “Food not Bombs” group offers a free vegetarian meal to folks passing by while the vigil is underway. It makes for a colorful and positive “happening” for peace and social justice every Friday afternoon in downtown Bellingham. All people of peace are welcome to join us on democracy corner, especially during the vigil's special 50th anniversary year.

For more information, contact Jamie K. Donaldson at ojosverdes999@gmail.com