ORANGE — They stood just footsteps away from Orange’s Honor Roll Wall bearing the names of its residents who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and the town’s World War I memorial — the official Peace Statue of Massachusetts.
They spoke no words, but their signs sent a clear message, “War is not the answer.”
North Quabbin Women in Black has resumed its antiwar protests at Memorial Park in Orange.
“We believe the U.S. should stop being the warmongering nation it is,” said Marcia Gagliardi, of Athol.
Saturday was the second vigil North Quabbin Women in Black has held since resuming after a hiatus. The group has taken hiatuses at different times, including for a few years in the 2010s, but first started in 2001 during the buildup to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 attacks.
“We’ve been feeling remiss that we’re not out here more often,” Gagliardi said.
The eight residents from Orange, Athol, New Salem and Petersham held signs with messages like “We pray for peace,” “We mourn the dead,” “Join us” and “End the U.S. occupation of Iraq” — and a larger banner reading “WE STAND FOR TRUTH & JUSTICE.”
According to Gagliardi, the group is opposed to war in all forms. Over the years, its membership has fluctuated and there is an email list of about 30 members now.
Gagliardi estimated about one in 10 people have some sort of reaction toward them, either wanting to talk — which, by nature of the vigil, they won’t — or waving out their car windows.
As she spoke with a reporter, a car beeped its horn several times in rapid succession. It seemed like a positive reaction, but it’s sometimes difficult to tell, Gagliardi said. When the group first started holding its vigils — or “witnesses” — they were counter-protested, but the attitude seems to be different now.
“Most of what I’ve noticed these last couple weeks is the majority of the reactions, if there is a reaction, have been positive,” she said.
The idea of “Women in Black” started in Israel in 2001, when Israeli and Palestinian women joined together to hold silent, black-clad peace vigils, and in protest of Israel’s presence of Palestinian lands. Since then, many Women in Black groups have started across the globe, periodically holding nonviolent protests against war.
There is a formal organization and network “Women in Black” that holds vigils on six continents. However, the group in Orange is not affiliated with that organization, other than borrowing its name and tactics.
“We don’t pretend to be experts on each and every issue,” Gagliardi said.
As for whether the North Quabbin Women in Black’s solemn and silent protests are effective, Gagliardi said that’s the “classic question.” But, at the very least, “It’s a witness,” she said.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.