by Marc LaPointe
Assistant News 

Close to 300 students and Middletown residents gathered Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil to commemorate and mourn those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. 

According to participants, the event helped draw together the Middletown community.

"This event makes you glad to say you’re from Middletown," said Bruce Stenway, a Middletown resident. "People have come together so peacefully in this time of crisis, I just thank God for it."

The vigil adopted a much more moderate tone than the recent peace demonstrations. The vigil was organized by various religious and civic groups in Middletown, with help from student groups on campus. The crowd was comprised mostly of Middletown residents, who varied in age, race and creed. 

"This is a time to bring us together," said Mark Vereen, a Middletown resident and self-described patriot. "It’s just a statement I can make, what I can contribute."

Matan Benyishay ’04 echoed these sentiments.

"It’s very exciting that this was begun by the city of Middletown," he commented. "We’re all very active on campus, but it’s even more powerful to be involved in the community."

The crowd gathered in front of the First Church of Christ Congregational on Court street and were briefly addressed by the vigil’s organizers who vowed to make "long lasting
connections in Middletown and to work together in the future."

The participants then marched up Court St. toward campus, walking two by two and consuming nearly two and a half blocks of sidewalk. The group comprised a majority of Middletown
residents, with groups of students interspersed throughout. 

The front of the line reached the entrance to the cemetery on Indian Hill as the sun came down, and candles were lit as members of the Cardinal Sinners began a short routine of a capella songs. 

Representatives from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim faiths then offered their own prayers for peace.

Amin Abdul-Malik, assistant dean of admissions, offered both a Muslim prayer and words of caution concerning ethnic relations in this country, emphasizing the difference between
Muslim and Arab and denouncing attacks on either. 

The vigil concluded with a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine," as marchers exited the cemetery.