To the editor:

At the Sakonnet Peace Alliance vigil on Sunday, June 19, members held banners in memory of the 49 innocent men and women who were gunned down at a gay bar in Orlando on June 12. The word Pace (pronounced pa-chay) appears on the banners and is the Italian word for peace. The rainbow on the background has become a symbol of gay pride. The banners were brought back from Italy in the early days of the Iraq war and were displayed by peace group members on their houses and at our vigils.

At this Sunday’s vigil, the names of the 49 innocent men and women who were shot and killed in Orlando were read. At previous vigils of the Sakonnet Peace Alliance, the names of the children and teachers who were killed at Newtown and of the church members and pastor who were slaughtered at an African American church in Charlestown were also read.

The Pace banners this Sunday replaced ones usually held by peace group members during the year. Among those hand-cut and hand-sewn banners are two with the words: Protect Children, Not Guns, and End Hate Speech.

Since its inception in January, 2003, the Sakonnet Peace Alliance has sought to be an alternate voice to the terrible and costly logic of war and a proponent for a peaceful resolution of conflict. Its mission has broadened over the years. Just this past year, it became a member of the RI Coalition Against Gun Violence, advocating for common sense gun legislation in the state, including a ban on concealed weapons in schools

And now, at this dangerous moment for our democracy, the Sakonnet Peace Alliance will stand against the violent, hate-filled rhetoric and the xenophobic, racist policies of the presumptive Republican nominee for President of the United States. If not now, when?

All our welcome to join our peaceful vigil Sunday mornings at 9:30 on the Little Compton Commons, across from the Wilbur School. Last week was our 594th Sunday standing on the green.

Betty Torphy

Little Compton