Silence the Violence: A Healing Vigil in Oakland

On the morning before Mother's Day, 2007, a hundred people came together in Oakland, California for "Mothers Morning/Mourning," a beautiful event that inspired hope for a future without violence.

About 50 people gathered at Lake Merritt dressed in red, carrying red prayer flags. After a moment of silence and meditation, everyone walked from the lake to downtown Oakland, in silence. Mothers carried pictures of their lost children. Next to them, family members carried "Silence the Violence" signs, flowers, and other symbols of love and mourning. It was a striking sight, a procession of love and pain cutting through the heart of Oakland.

At Frank Ogawa Plaza, the crowd grew to 100. The large crowd came together in prayer, song, and dance, together creating a moment of peace and healing for the mothers and loved ones of people claimed by Oakland's epidemic of violence. Two mothers told their stories of losing their children, and how they have moved forward after such tragedy. Their courageous messages of hope, moving through grief and strengthening communities, inspired everyone there. And, through the many media outlets covering the event, those messages reached thousands more.

Mothers Morning/Mourning was everything we hoped it would be. We would like to thank our collaborators, the organizations that supported the event. And most of all, we would like to thank the mothers and family members who came out to share their pain and help us all heal, together.