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Common Defense Candlelight Vigil in honor of survivors & victims of political violence
August 2, 2024 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm MST
by Carolyn Classen, blogger
“YOU’RE INVITED! Join veterans from your community to take a stand against political violence in all forms and honor survivors and those lost to senseless acts of violence.
WHO: All are welcome! This event is organized by U.S. military veterans from around Arizona, but we would love to see people from all walks of life rise to meet this moment and commit to non-violent civic engagement.
WHAT: (flameless) Candlelight Vigil in honor of survivors and victims of political violence. This is an opportunity to come together and be in community with veterans, elected officials, interfaith leaders, advocates, and peaceful people of conscience from all walks of life. (flameless) Candles and water will be provided while supplies last, but attendees are welcome to bring their own.
WHERE: GABE ZIMMERMAN TRAILHEAD, located at
16248 E Marsh Station Rd, Vail, AZ 85641
(Map and address included in registration email)
WHEN: FRIDAY, AUGUST 2nd Attendees are welcome to arrive as early as 6:30 PM and stay as late as 8:30 PM, but the main program will take place around sunset (approximately 7:15 PM) in which community members will be invited to speak their mind, remember loved ones, and enjoy a beautiful sunset alongside Arizona’s Scenic Trail.
WHY: Now, more than ever, our Democracy and the American way of life demand that leaders of all stripes take a stand for non-violence and de-escalation instead of fanning flames of division.
BACKGROUND: In the wake of yet another horrifying act of politically-motivated violence, Arizonan veterans, elected officials, community leaders, and people of conscience from all walks of life have joined together to TAKE THE PLEDGE and reject political violence in all its forms.
For Tucsonans, political violence is not just a series of frightening images on television that happen in faraway places. On January 8th, 2011, our community was rocked by the horrific assassination attempt on former U.S. Rep. Gabbie Giffords in which 19 of our neighbors, friends, parents, and children were senselessly shot, killing six, including Gabe Zimmerman, staff to Rep. Giffords, and beloved friend, son, and public servant to our community.
On July 19, 2024, Veterans from Common Defense were joined by former U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, a survivor of the 2011 shooting, affirming “Civil discourse, not political violence, is the way we address our political issues,” alongside Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who stated, “No person should feel afraid to participate in the political process because of fear of violence.”
Other distinguished speakers included:
- Tucson Councilman Paul Cunningham, Army National Guard Veteran
- Pima County Attorney Laura Conover
- Pima County District 5 Supervisor, Chair Adelita Grijalva
- Executive Director of Rural AZ Engagement (RAZE), Pablo Correa, USMC Veteran
- Leonardo Araiza, USMC Afghanistan Combat Veteran
- Common Defense National Organizing Director, JoAnna Sweatt, USMC Iraq Veteran
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