Peaceful Reflection at President Lincoln’s Cottage, Dupont Circle Solidarity Hug-In and Candlelight Vigil in Front of the White House

From an email:

“We recognize that people are expressing a need to come together, peacefully, when we are a House Divided. As a National Monument, where Lincoln came to deal with epic division and chaos in our country, we are committed to providing a secular place of reflection and serving as your beacon of hope.

Our lights are on for you. All of you.

President Lincoln’s Cottage will be open today from 3:30-7:30 PM for a time of peaceful reflection. The event is free, come-as-you-are, open to friends, families, everyone.”

“Dupont Circle Solidarity Hug-In
Today at 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Dupont Circle Fountain

As an attempt to overcome the politics of hate and fear, let’s all get together and hug. If enough people show up, we’ll hold hands and sing, “This land is my land.” With some radical acceptance and love, maybe we can start understanding one another better and work together for a better world. I know a lot of us are feeling alone and distraught. This is a simple way for us to remind ourselves that we are still here and we are still capable of love and hope. When you arrive, turn on the flashlight on your phone on so we know you’re there with us.

Can’t make it? Take a photo of yourself hugging someone and tag it #hugyourneighbor.

Invite your friends but please be mindful this is to be a SAFE SPACE. A brief gathering to muster a lot of love and compassion. No speeches, no agenda, just love your neighbor.

See you there.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Paul Sirajuddin

A reader passes on:

“Candlelight Vigil: DC Stands Together
Today at 5 PM – 9 PM
The White House

Donald Trump was declared the winner. Fear. Dread. Numbness. Anger. Sadness. We are in mourning.

Tonight, we welcome our family, friends and neighbors for a candlelight vigil in front of the White House. We need each other now more than ever.

Please bring candles.

This morning we woke up fearing for the future of our country. There is a long path to healing and caring for each other. Donald Trump won this election and white votes by stoking racism and fear of people of color and immigrants. Donald Trump used an age-old lie that we blame each other for our economic insecurity, instead of the ruling class and political establishment.

We protest and participate because we believe in each other, our collective power and the belief that we can create a community and economy for all of us. Let’s come together to stand as a community united against a future based on hatred, racism, sexism or bigotry.

Those of us in immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities are threatened. We reject and are prepared to resist attacks on all of our communities—and we commit to care for, look out for, and stand with one another. An attack on any of us is an attack on all of us. Tonight, we will join hands, share our reactions, pledge our mutual solidarity, and resolve to forge ahead together in this moment of peril. We have experienced setbacks before, and we have always come back. Our movements are resilient and unstoppable.”