Kitsap Builds Bridges, Not Walls: Vigil 4 Solidarity and Justice

Gather together in a mass vigil with your Kitsap community. Show up for justice. We will form a bridge of humanity across the 1572' length of Manette Bridge, demonstrating our solidarity with each other and our resistance to the targeting of those among us who are Muslims, immigrants, and/or refugees. This is an opportunity to be together as a local community, honoring all the intersections of our identities and experiences, and specifically amplifying our resistance to the targeting of Muslims, immigrants, and refugees.
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WHAT IS A VIGIL ANYWAY?
Here are some thoughts from Brian Watson, event organizer:
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A vigil is: a way for us to publicly show up --literally-- to show with body, mind, and spirit that we will not be complicit or silent in the face of racist policies that target anyone.
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A vigil is: an opportunity for us to build hope with our presence together, connect with one another, network, and leave with commitments to be in touch with each other in order to take further actions and to build sustainable resistance.
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A vigil is: a special moment for us to take some time out of our "everyday lives" to reflect on what's happening in our communities, country, and world, and to hold open our hearts to the pain of others as well as our own pain.
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A vigil is: one way to positively demonstrate and celebrate core values of our communities, such as: love, respect, dignity, justice, inclusion, and diversity
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There are no speakers planned for this vigil. There is no program. The plan is to simply gather on Manette Bridge, on the sidewalk all along the length of it. Together.
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WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring yourself, your loved ones, your neighbors, and your friends and family. Bring colorful signs and banners, if you wish! (HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR SIGNS ARE INCLUDED BELOW.) Please remember to leave no trash or other physical items behind at the end of the vigil; take those signs, candles, water bottles, coffee cups, and other items away with you.
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HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS FOR SIGNS & BANNERS:
"I Will Protect My Immigrant Friends and Neighbors"
"Solidarity with My Immigrant Neighbors"
"Immigrants Welcome Here"
"Make Bremerton A Sanctuary City"
"Make Kitsap A Sanctuary County"
"MY Bremerton is Welcoming"
"MY Kitsap County is Welcoming
"Resist"
"Resist Xenophobia”
"Resist Islamophobia"
"Resist Racism"
"Resist Fear Mongering"
"Love Thy Neighbor"
"Immigrants Are Not the Threat, Authoritarianism Is"
"I am Christian, Here in Solidarity with Muslims"
"I am Jewish, Here in Solidarity with Muslims"
"I am Atheist, Here in Solidarity with Muslims"
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* SPECIAL NOTE: Please be thoughtful about signage. Some language might be very well *intentioned* but have a harmful impact. Here is one example: the phrase "We all come from immigrants" erases both the experiences of those of us who are Indigenous/Native Americans, who are not immigrants and who expereince(d) colonization, and also the experiences of a majority of those of us who are Black/African-Americans, whose ancestors were brought here against their will through slavery. Sign-making is a great time to have discussions with friends, neighbors, and loved ones about our intersecting identities and experiences. We can use those conversations to create signs that maximize love, inclusivity, and resistance and minimize erasure and capitulation. Whoo hoo! 
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SOME PRACTICAL TIPS:
* Dress for the weather!
* There are no bathrooms on the bridge. Go before you come. ;-)
* Leave no physical trace of our presence. Take signs, trash, etc. with you when you leave, please.
* Keep yourself, your loved ones, and other pedestrians and drivers safe. Cross at cross walks. Look both ways. Be aware. Look up from those screens, make eye contact, and be safe.
* Use the comments thread on this event to share other practical tips you have for people. For example, maybe you have suggestions for sign-making materials, free parking spots near Manette Bridge, or nearby bus routes. Help a neighbor out