While the incumbent in the White House in Washington, DC, was blaming Ukraine for the war and calling Zelensky a dictator, Caritas in Vienna was organizing an event to express solidarity especially with the children of Ukraine. Next Monday it will, unbelievably, be three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Sea of Light wasn’t as big or moving as I thought it would be (fewer people, although a good number of candles carefully laid out). It started at Stephansplatz at 5 p.m. today and I worked until 5:30. Still, I thought it would at least go until 7 p.m. or so and went off with my candle to join those already there. I arrived a few minutes after 6 p.m. to find a medium-sized crowd and a Ukrainian women’s choir just finishing their last song. The organizers then thanked us for attending and started to dismantle the sound system and the small stage.
I stayed for a bit and then went home. It was somehow discouraging that all around us people were just going about their business, and I decided not to stay. But I’m glad I went and was counted.
ecbinvienna 
Thank you for sharing this. Please know that the majority of Americans are in absolute despair and disbelief about what is happening here. We feel helpless and in mourning for the end of American democracy.