Eyes Wide Open Exhibit

Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee’s widely-acclaimed exhibition on the human cost of the Iraq War, features a pair of boots honoring each California military casualty, a labyrinth of civilian shoes to memorialize the Iraqis killed in the conflict, and a display exploring the history, cost and consequences of the war. Come to Kings' Plaza in Palo Alto (corner of Hamilton and Ramona, in front of the City Hall) to honor and grieve for the lost lives of loved ones and strangers, near and far. An ongoing vigil with the boots and shoes will begin Saturday, May 3rd at 10 a.m. and continue through the day and night until Sunday, May 4th at 6 p.m.

Special Events at the Vigil:

Opening Ceremony, Saturday, 12Noon: Prayers from Diverse Faith Traditions, Music, Speaker: Cindy Sheehan "Peace Mom" whose son Casey was killed while serving in Iraq

Taps, Saturday, 8pm (sundown) followed by time of silence

Film "Arlington West", Saturday 8:30pm: A 45 minute documentary telling the story of the "temporary cemetery in the sand" erected every Sunday by the Veterans for Peace in Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and other locations. A flag draped coffin and over 4000 wooden crosses, placed lovingly on the beach, invite the public to honor fallen U.S. soldiers and lament the cost of war.
(Bring your coats and blankets or chairs to sit on!)

Reading of Names, Sunday, 2pm: The names and ages of each of the 432 soldiers from California who have died in this war will be read, along with 432 names of Iraqi civilians who have been killed. Prayers and Silence.

Closing Ceremony, Sunday, 6pm: Speaker Gold Star Families Speak Out mother Karen Meredith, whose son Ken Ballard was killed while serving in Iraq; Prayers from Diverse Faith Traditions

The Eyes Wide Open exhibit will also be offered at Stanford White Plaza Friday, May 2, 10am-6pm and at Santa Clara University (near new library) Monday and Tuesday, May 5 & 6, 10am-8pm.

Throughout the time the exhibit is out there will be a spirit of prayer, respect and peace sustained. Most of the time silence will be maintained, with occasional spoken prayers, music and quiet conversation.

To volunteer to be present for a 2 hour shift with 3 other people, click here.

Presented as a vigil for the whole community, the exhibit is sponsored by Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice, and co-sponsored by the Council of Churches of Santa Clara County, First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto, Peace & Justice Committee of First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, American Muslim Voice, Peninsula Peace & Justice Center, Mountain View Voices for Peace, and Declaration of Peace - San Mateo County. To add your congregation or organization's name as co-sponsor, or to volunteer to help, contact diana@councilofchurches-scc.org.

Click here to download three types of flyers for the event (portrait style, landscape style, and bulletin insert style).