March to continuing White House Peace vigil remembers Concepcion Piccolo
On the 27th of February, a memorial service at Luther Place remembered Concepcion Piccolo, who for 35 years maintained a vigil in front of the White House against nuclear weapons and war. At the conclusion of the service participants marched into the streets and to the White House, where the Peace Vigil continues.
At the height of the reckless Reagan era of nuclear saber-rattling, Lafayette Square was known as "Peace Park" and was known for signs saying things like "stay the course and have a nice doomsday" plus graphic photos of the results of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Years of Park Police harassment never stopped the vigil, and to the Park Service's dismay it has now outlived Concepcion herself as well as Thomas, another of the original vigilers. A new generation continues their work.
When the march passed through McPherson Square (former home of Occupy DC), a large Bernie Sanders rally was taking place three. Many of them cheered the march but few followed the march to the White House.
One of the keynote speakers (featured speaker in the video) was Ellen, who herself spent years at the vigil.
