Light a Candle for Peace and Hopes

We, the peace-loving members of a community that spans the entire globe deeply believe in the need for a non-violent response to the horrors of September 11, 2001.

We, sisters and brothers of all religious faiths, condemn the acts of mislead, extremist, hateful individuals and reaffirm our empathetic solidarity with all victims of violence, no matter their skin color, gender, poll and national identities, or time and location of the experience of brutality.

We believe that violence begets violence, which can never be stopped by more violence, but will only be multiplied and transformed into yet other expressions of violence.

We, the peace-seeking people of this moment in history draw on the teachings and inspiration of those who have shown us the ways of non-violence, justice by law, and loving-kindness on every continent, during every time in history, in crises as big and bigger than the one right now.

We need to be reminded of each others' presence and thereby strengthen our unity and resolve to reject racism, discrimination, lawlessness, elimination of civic freedoms, and militarism.

We, the peace-affirming community of courageous individuals all across the Earth do not accept what is portrayed as the inevitable and necessary response to terrorism and hatred: yet another war.

As of September 20, 2001, we therefore signify our commitment to peace by lighting candles in our windows every night, at 7 pm local time for at least an hour, so that a chain of light will embrace the world with hope at every minute of the day. We will light candles on our doorsteps as long as is needed to reach every country to bring the message of hope, community and peace. We shall find in that beacon of hope the resolve and courage to stop the spiral of violence sinking us deeper into atrocity and fear. We will burn cnadles on our front porches every night as long as is needed to reach the leaders of our countries to stop the preparation of and/or conduct of war.

Please pass this message on — by email, mail, or from hand to hand — to as many people, circles, networks, and news outlets as you can reach. Translate it into the languages of your people. Wherever you can, talk to the press, send letters to your political leaders, connect with your neighbors and friends. We are friends of peace and we are everywhere.

LIGHT A CANDLE OF HOPE. A CANDLE FOR PEACE TONIGHT AT 7 PM LOCAL TIME. AND AGAIN TOMORROW. AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN.