Candlelight vigil

A candlelight vigil is an outdoor assembly of people carrying candles, held after sunset in order to show support for a specific cause.[1] Such events are typically held either to protest the suffering of some marginalized group of people, or in memory of a life or lives lost to some disease, disaster, massacre or other tragedy. In the latter case, the event is often called a candlelight memorial. A large candlelight vigil will usually have invited speakers with a public address system and may be covered by local or national media. Speakers give their speech at the beginning of the vigil to explain why they are holding a vigil and what it represents.[2] Vigils may also have a religious or spiritual purpose. On Christmas Eve many churches hold a candlelight vigil.

Candlelight vigils are seen as a nonviolent way to raise awareness of a cause and to motivate change, as well as uniting and supporting those attending the vigil.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "love to know: Organise a candlelight vigil". Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  2. ↑ "Do Something: how to organise a vigil". Retrieved 28 December 2012.
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