September 15, 2001
New York (ml)
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On Friday evening all New Yorkers where invited to attend a citywide candle
light vigil to take place after 7pm. Flyers, posters, radio and TV stations
were spreading the word: “Where ever you are, light a candle and go outside
on the streets”.
Some people were just standing on the sidewalks, protecting the flame of
their candles from the wind. However, most New Yorkers were gathering
in
popular places, such as Union Square. Hundreds of lit candles,
some of
them held and carried by the people concerned and
struck
by the events, others just lined up on sidewalks, street barriers or gates
and railings,
were illuminating the crowded park between 14th and 17th
Streets and Broadway and Park Avenue South.
In some corners, apart from the others,
people were mourning about their family members and friends who are missing.
Posters with photos and information where they where last seen, surrounded
by numerous candles and flowers got people into tears –
not only
the ones who lost someone, but also
strangers, expressing their sympathy.
Hopeless, it seemed, the posters with details like “Last seen in the 102nd
Floor of the North Tower” – the probability of finding survivors in such
high rise floors is very small.
With songs and music many people tried to cope with their feelings. The
gatherings throughout the city provided a mood similar to the spontaneous
public mourning after John Lennon was killed in 1980. Unusual for New York,
some folks where holding banners, pandering for peace.
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