As the United States draws closer to war with Iraq, nearly 400 people gathered Sunday night in front of the Douglas County Courthouse as part of a worldwide candlelight vigil urging President George W. Bush to give peace one more chance.

Some of them wondered whether their efforts were futile.

“I don’t think George is listening,” said Bill Corrigan, Lawrence. “He doesn’t care.”

But that didn’t stop Corrigan and others from holding candles and singing a mixture of 1960s antiwar songs such as “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and patriotic songs such as “America the Beautiful.”

“It makes me feel better,” said Anne Burgess, Lawrence. “I’m not sure what causes things to change. Lots of people are doing this tonight around the world.”

Burgess and Mel Smith, Lawrence, stood along the curb of Massachusetts Street holding a large blue and white banner. Imprinted on the banner were a dove and the words “Peace Now.”

Even if the vigil couldn’t prevent war, it was still worth the effort, Smith said.

“It’s like we’re changing the conscience of a few people at a time,” he said.

Jean Knight, Lawrence, agreed.

“I firmly believe war is not the answer,” she said.

Children of all ages were among the 400 demonstrators gathered for a candlelight vigil for peace at the Douglas County Courthouse. Sunday's vigil was part of a global event organized in part by Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, calling for the United States and its allies to resist war with Iraq.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was one of the world leaders who called for Sunday’s global candlelight vigil. It was planned for the eve of what originally was thought to be a final vote in the United Nations Security Council on a resolution calling for an attack on Iraq.

Melinda Morris-Black, Lawrence, who led the organization of the local vigil, said she was impressed with the turnout. She said she worked with leaders of the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice to organize the event. The coalition has conducted weekly peace rallies since last fall.

“I think this says a lot for the type of community Lawrence is,” she said. “There was a wide variety of people there.”

¢ U.N. must make Iraq decision today¢ Saddam threatens worldwide retaliation¢ White House¢ Pentagon

No plan or agenda was drawn up for what was to take place at the vigil, Morris-Black said. People began singing the songs and speaking on the spur of the moment, she said.

“It was very spontaneous,” Morris-Black said. “This was all ‘fly by the seat of your pants.'”

Despite Saddam Hussein’s behavior toward his own people, many Americans were concerned about attacking Iraq when it has not acted aggressively toward other countries since the Kuwait invasion in 1990, Morris-Black said.

“I just think all options should be explored before taking a sledgehammer to a gnat,” she said.