Oregonian covers Portland vigils

The story, by Ayesha McAdams-Mahmoud, is on p. A2, but isn't available on their web site. Excerpt:

"This is really in support of Cindy," said Tracy Dudgeon, who organized Oregon's largest vigil, which attracted more than 700 people along 23rd Avenue in Northwest Portland. "I think (the president) has a duty and an obligation to take half an hour or an hour of is time to meet with her."

Participants in the vigil took up almost five blocks and stood peacefully carrying home-made peace signs and placards reading "Portland Stands with Cindy," "Stop the War," and "more than 1,878 U.S. dead, Why?"

Four 14-year-old girls from Waldorf High School stood in line, lighting candles stuck inside plastic cups. One of the girls, Phoebe Lifton, said she and her friends were there "because we don't approve of Bush's actions."

Ken Sielenger, a 38-year-old veteran of the Persian Gulf War, said he joined the vigil "because Iraq is a quagmire, and I don't think Bush started this war with any exit strategy . . . I am willing to give my life for my country, but it better be for a damn good reason."

In all, more than 50,000 people registered for 1,627 "Vigils for Cindy Sheehan" across the nation, which local organizers said is a testament to the power of the anti-war movement.

"We are not professional activists and this is not a protest," said Annette Prichard, who organized a vigil in Oregon City. This is a solidarity vigil, a time to contemplate and be a visual symbol for the questions that the country is asking right now."

Pritchard expected 10 people to show up. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 70 had registered for the vigil.