Vigil for peace in Warwick

Warwick - "Mourn the victims - September 11, Iraq, Katrina," read one of the signs at a vigil Sunday night in Warwick. Fifteen to 20 people lined up in front of Lewis Park holding candles to commemorate the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. They also criticized the administration for going to war with Iraq, a country that was not involved in the terrorist attack. "We would hope that people will live up to the teaching of Jesus Christ, when you are attacked turn the other cheek," said Patricia DeBruhl, who carried a sign stating, "Vigil for Peace." "We were attacked, and I wouldn't turn the other cheek, but I would want to understand the reasons for the attack. We should find out why people would do this and not just lash out and attack people who did not attack us." Jan Howe said the level of devastation in New Orleans and the slow response to the damage from Hurricane Katrina are related to the war in Iraq. "The National Guard, which is supposed to be at home to deal with disasters is in Iraq," she said. "The money necessary for so many things here at home is flowing to Iraq, and we're falling apart." The response to the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was far out of proportion to the attack itself, said Bob Leonard. "What 9-11 should stand for is that people should not have to die because people have a difference of opinion," he said. The people stood at the park for about an hour, then dispersed.