By Rincey Abraham

Damp weather did not stop people from attending the Vigil for Peace in Iraq and Afghanistan in Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., on Saturday .

The all-night vigil was held by Catholics for Peace and Justice as a way to show local legislators its opposition to the war and its concern about the effects of the war on soldiers, Iraqi civilians and the city of Milwaukee, according to a press release from the group.

Sally Nordstrom, a member of Catholics for Peace and Justice, often attends anti-war rallies to show her opposition to the war.

"More bodies give a stronger message to the legislators," she said.

The event began with worship as people carrying signs that read "We are all prisoners of the cycle of violence" and "Ban testosterone," among other messages, began to gather in the square.

The Rev. John Celichowski, pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Church, 1015 N. Ninth St., gave the opening speech and spoke on the moral and legal dimensions of the war.

"The invasion of Iraq has not stopped the threat of terrorism as the bombings of London and Egypt earlier this summer demonstrated," Celichowski said.

Celichowski said he believed the attack on Iraq was not justified and immoral, and needed to end as soon as possible. He closed his speech asking for everyone to pray for President Bush and Congress.

"We pray too for renewal of the principal for legitimate self-defense," he said.

Shorewood resident Hamid Alwan, a former Iraqi citizen, spoke about his own experiences in Iraq. He was born in Iraq and came to the United States a few years ago. He said he still has family members in Iraq who face war every day.

"Unemployment is up to 60 percent," said Alwan. "Water (runs) two hours per day and garbage collection is very little."

Alwan talked about how his family faces the threat of violence constantly.

"Every time I called (Iraq) my sister said 'You are talking to dead people'," said Alwan. "Because she was convinced that they were going to be killed by some of the missiles that have gone haywire."

The last speaker was Deacon Steve Przedpelski, director of Franciscan Peacemakers Street Ministry, who spoke about the cost of war and how it affects Milwaukee residents.

"But I think we pay even a higher cost," Przedpelski said.

Przedpelski continued to say "our toleration of violence in all forms has cost this country, literally, its collective soul."

Symbolic forms of opposition were also used to make a point.

For example, black signs showing an Iraqi woman mourning over a dead Iraqi man with the words "Cost of War" were brought forward. The sign was ripped up and put into a pot to be burned. The ashes were put onto the hands of the crowd to symbolize the disagreement.

The speeches ended by 5:30 p.m. and the group marched around the park three times while singing.

As the skies threatened rain, some protesters left, but many stayed for the all-night vigil. Those who could not stay were asked to return the next day for 8 a.m. mass.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 27, 2005.