Code Pink Coachella Valley, The Voice For The Voiceless
On a warm Thursday night in downtown Palm Springs, the glow of candles flickered against the desert air. I had come to witness the weekly vigil of Code Pink Coachella Valley, a local branch of the national peace organization. What I found surprised me—this wasn’t a gathering of seasoned activists hardened by years of protest. These were young faces, younger than mine, carrying themselves with a quiet resolve. They came from different walks of life, yet shared one heartbeat: a longing to stand for peace in a world heavy with injustice.
They didn’t shout. They didn’t chant. They simply stood, candles in hand, letting stillness do the talking. Their silence was not empty—it was full, brimming with unspoken prayers and the stubborn hope that peace can still be possible. Just steps away, the buzz of Village Fest pulsed through the streets. Tourists wandered past the iconic Marilyn Monroe statue, curious eyes catching the gentle glow of this small circle of light.
Week after week, these young volunteers return, holding space for truth in a world that often looks away. They speak without words, reminding us that awareness begins not in noise, but in presence. As Mother Teresa once said, “Peace begins with a smile.” And in their smiles—soft, unassuming, steadfast—I saw the quiet revolution of compassion unfolding.