We invited those who attended the vigil to reflect, spiritually, on their participation.   On this page we are publishing a number of reflections.  Some are attributed, some not, depending on each author’s preference.

The Silent Fellowship – We came beneath one banner – not a flag to divide, but a quiet sign of unity.  Many of us wore white. Plainly dressed, we moved as a small silent band through the restless heart of the city.  Whitehall surged around us – sirens, traffic, all hurry and rush.  We passed the monument to the women of world war two, dark grey stone surrounded by poppies, bright red like wounds that will not heal.  We passed the king’s mounted guard, poised and shining, ancient ceremonial for tourists to photograph.  We walked beneath all the statues of conquerors raised high above the street, looming down on us.  We walked past monuments to war carrying no weapons.  Past horses bred for ceremony, with empty hands.  Past the plaques to victories, with a prayer for peace.  Past the splendour of empire, we walked as ordinary people, remembering that every empire is built upon human lives – each life beloved, each life fragile, each life more than a name in stone.  We were simply footsteps, breath, the silent fellowship of one person beside another.  Yet something changed in the space between the noise.  For silence is not emptiness. This is a silence that listens. A silence that gathers.  A silence that does not wound.  A strength that does not threaten. A presence that does not conquer.  Peace comes softly, it walks beside us. It stands beside a stranger, asking for nothing.  It is a gentle presence within the roar.  Step by step, heart beside heart, we are a fellowship beyond words, a prayer made visible by this simple act.  I believe that, for a moment, the city heard our prayer – not as a shout, but as a whisper deep enough to enter the heart:  That peace is not weakness, that silence is not surrender, and that when people walk together without weapons, without division, without the need to  conquer,  silence itself is a prayer.  And the prayer is peace.  (Maggie McHale)

The large gathering was deeply moving, starting with silent worship which was maintained throughout the slow walk. Remarkable was the silence surrounding us as though the public was drawn into it too. The traffic held up at each junction we crossed seemed to wait with patience and respect….no horns blowing, no creeping forward. Most extraordinary was the fact that there were no police in evidence. It felt like the witness for peace was recognised as non confrontational, valid and welcomed.

I was prevented from joining the Vigil at the start but joined as the beautiful white peaceful ribbon floated away from the Embankment and up towards Whitehall. Having had a chaotic journey through the noise and mayhem of London to get there, I was moved to tears by the Silent Serenity and Peace of the Vigil. It was like a river of inner stillness and calm.  (Lyn Mclachlan)

For me, the silent walking vigil was an act of hope. We speak about our hopes for peace. And sometimes they seem in vain or even naive – just whistling in the wind. But Christian hope is not like optimism. It is rooted in God’s promises – it is profound, joyful and active. It is about building the kingdom of heaven on earth (“turning the world upside down” in the language of the early Quakers). Jesus said “I am with you always”. Working towards the kingdom of God is something we need to do together, just as we walked the silent vigil together. We are not alone. We are together in hope. (Andrew West)

I was touched by the kindness of those from Quaker Vegan Witness who offered flapjacks as participants assembled. Only after the Vigil did it dawn on me that we had assembled in the Ministry of Defence gardens. So that’s what the huge building behind us was!  What encourages me is that Quakers are beginning to dream again, from which such actions as this come.  It ended in the backyard of St Martin in the Fields with another Quaker Meeting  The sounds you hear are the sounds of London; the Quakers are being quiet. The contrast between silence and sound.  There is something beautiful about this: the Quakers sitting silently and the sounds filling the air. (Gordon Jackson)

“Let your life speak” is a Quaker phrase which often nudges me to think about my actions. On 19 September my feet spoke for me 7700 steps for peace. Following the focused silence in the Victoria Embankment Gardens holding the silence as we walked along Whitehall, past so many memorials to war. Then our silent walking vigil reached Trafalgar Square – all people, noise and impatient traffic. Our deep silence continued to hold and enfolded us all in our loud silence for peace as we were gathered, young and old, so many at St Martin in the Fields for our final time together. I am so glad I was there, a walk for peace, also an act of hope and solidarity.

I felt the enormous movement of humanity as one, the deep currents in the ocean. At the same time there was the commotion of the peaks and troughs: the motorcyclist tut tutting about being held up and saying we would not be enough, the noise and cacophony of other demonstrations in Trafalgar Square, and so held together were the peaks and troughs of feelings, exhortations, reactions and the swell of unity below. both were held, both were possible in the peace that sits underneath the noise. (Kathyn Gordon)

As we all gathered in the Victoria Embankment Gardens we were surrounded by the usual sounds of London – hooting boats, traffic and occasional helicopters, and a changing cast of runners and pushchair wielding families enjoying a beautiful autumn day.  Within minutes we were invited to join in the first meeting for worship. Many sat on the grass, others stood.  Miraculously, about five minutes in, the meeting gathered.  I can feel now how it was, if I shut my eyes.  I feel privileged to have stood with these hundreds of f/Friends – brought together and becoming one.

For me our testimony to Peace is about an ambition for ourselves individually and a statement about our community rather an admonition to others. This impelled me to attend and the event aligned perfectly with this sensitivity. I found a deep sense of spiritual connection in the opening Meeting For Worship. Our silent progress past iconic London landmarks with their associated tourists felt powerful.  Overall the day has left me with a deep sense of fellowship and a renewed commitment to my Quaker Faith. (Pete Duckworth)

As we walked in silence in the busy city, past the cenotaph, I felt sad and scared that war could be part of my and my children’s lives. I felt that by being part of the vigil, we were saying: ‘we see what is happening and we don’t want it.’  I am aware that there are many complex arguments around defence and conflict, but they were the only words that I could summon at that time.

It was really delightful to be part of the Vigil for Peace.  Thank you, and of course all the many others who were involved in organising this very worthwhile and timely vigil.  The stewards were like angels in flight getting to their posts,  which was a great achievement for a very difficult task.  We are very appreciative of your warm welcome, and generosity and inclusiveness.  Great humanity, integrity, compassion and truth, led to a great deepening of solid peace with justice, as we walked in resounding  silence.  I feel that this  is what our dear wounded earth is crying out for at this moment in time.  A wonderful coming together to reject the mentality of war, with  all its scourge,  war being  the worst invention of human beings, for humanity.  Gandhi  “Truth has drawn me into the field of Politics, I can say without the slightest hesitation.  And yet in all humanity that those who say religion has nothing got to do with politics, do not know what religion means.”  Thanking you all so much for a very wonderful day of peace and community solidarity.  (Miriam Ryan)

To walk in silence with Friends for an hour was the epitome of peace and healing. (Susanna Riviere)