In commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks will hold a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in front of the Boone County Courthouse.
The first vigil was held in Peace Park in 2001 with about 300 people in attendance. A vigil has been held every year since the attacks.
“We are issuing a call for no more victims,” Mid-Missouri Peaceworks director Mark Haim said. “It is imperative that we end the cycle of violence instead of perpetuating it.”
This year’s vigil, “No More Victims: A Memorial,” features speakers Rev. Maureen Dickmann of Rock Bridge Christian Church and Rashed Nizam, chairman of the board of the Islamic Center of Central Missouri.
Dickmann organized the inaugural event 12 years ago and has been involved in organizing the ceremony since. This year, Haim asked her to speak.
“That first year, there was shock, and we weren’t sure what was happening,” Dickmann said. “It was a real scary time. It is good to remember that date and come together to commemorate.”
Mourning the almost 3,000 people who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, and the subsequent lives lost in the War on Terror, is part of the reason Peaceworks is holding the event, Haim said.
“The vast majority of Americans — between two-thirds and three-fourths are looking for the end of war in Afghanistan,” Haim said. “We are tired of human pain and loss of limb. In order to end that cycle, we need to get the public involved.”
The organization is fighting for a peaceful and sustainable future and trying to raise awareness that a cycle of violence serves no good, Haim said.
“(The vigil) is an annual reminder of everything we are squandering with this war,” Dickmann said.
She said her goal is to build a more peaceful world, one inspired by Gandhi’s visionary quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
“It begins with ourselves,” Dickmann said. “We have to begin with being peaceful ourselves. There is so much anger in the world.”
Throughout Columbia, there are several events happening to commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11.
The students of Columbia Independent School will place 2,977 flags on the east school lawn in memory of each person who died in the terrorist attacks. The flags will be displayed all week. The CIS National Honor Society will also be accepting donations for the Families of Freedom Program.
MU is commemorating Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance by hanging three 153-square-foot American flags between the columns, a constant reminder for all students walking through the Francis Quadrangle of the lives lost. The flags will be displayed for the Patriot Day barbecue, which begins at 5:30 p.m..
Flags around the country will be flown at half-mast. The Columbia College Republicans will also place 2,977 flags around its campus. West Junior High School will hold a moment of silence. Herbert Williams American Legion Post 202 will hold a memorial service, reading about the day’s events at the times they happened.
The upcoming election provides an opportunity to impact the world through American foreign policy, Dickmann said. The Peaceworks vigil will allow students to take a stand toward building a peaceful future.
“If they agree with our perspective and see the purpose of healing and reconciliation, we would love for them to attend,” Haim said.
