Candlelight vigil at Fremont Park promotes “compassion for all” on inauguration eve

A group of about 50 people and a few well-lit dogs gathered in Fremont Park on Friday night to hold the second candlelight kindness vigil since the election of President Donald J. Trump, with the first held in November.

As with the Fall gathering, the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett (pictured top – on right) , rector of Trinity Church in Menlo Park, presided at the gathering. He led the group in saying together a statement of purpose:

“We are joining together in bringing light to dark places and to cast to intimidation, bullying, bigotry, and exclusion. We gather in collective prayer and pledge to protect the earth and all of her people.

“Together, as members of a strong community we offer our love to support and celebrate diversity and pledge to honor and protect each unique individual as we stand together in light to uphold the constitution of the United States.”

After singing We Shall Overcome, the group — with candles in hand — walked silently towards El Camino on  Santa Cruz Avenue, before returning on the other side of the street. Commented one participant, a long time Menlo Park resident: “I recall a lot more marches on Santa Cruz in the ’70s.”

Whether there will be more marches in the future remains unknown. But the activist spirit of Menlo Park was displayed today both in the earlier sidewalk protest and tonight at the kindness vigil.

Photos by Robb Most (c) 2017