Source: Axcess News

http://www.axcessnews.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=8640

On March 13, 2006 Axcess News reported, "About 100 people gathered on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol Monday for an interfaith prayer vigil for U.S. troops and civilian Iraqis suffering in Iraq. The peaceful prayer vigil, which drew not a single police officer, was organized by the National Council of Churches. As the group prayed, President Bush delivered a speech across town, outlining his goals for the war in Iraq this year. Followed by the audience of all ages, clerics wearing religious attire read scriptures and sang traditional prayers for peace and well being. 'We yearn for the bombing to stop, for the rhetoric to end, for people - all people - to once again stroll freely along city streets, for the silencing of the tears,' said the Rev. John McCullough, executive director of Church World Service, a humanitarian ministry that provides self-help and development, disaster relief and refuge assistance in more than 80 countries. In a chant and response led by several people, a speaker read: 'We pray for an end to violence and war in Iraq, a return of U.S. and allied soldiers, and true peace, security and welfare for the Iraqi people.'"