University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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3ne man stands alone among a sea of his peers. The initial shock brought about by the events )f that Tuesday morning took weeks to fade, md the adjustment back to everyday campus ife was difficult to make. For some, a national ragedy of this scale questioned the importance nlaced on the smallest details of life. ' fiolo by Betsy Foster We stand together in our grief and concern. We are committed to the safety and security of this community and reaffirm our enduring respect for ah 4 who are a part of the University of Michigan family -Lisa A. Tedesco E. Royster Harper At the BAMN sponsored Peace Rally, students protest govenmental violent retaliation. In the days following the attacks, many different stu- dent groups were heard around campus shar- ing their views on the role of and decisions made by the United States government. photo by Lauren Proux safety and security of every member of this community and reaffirm our enduring respect for all who are a part of the University of Michigan family. Following this, several religious leaders delivered their mes- sages of peace; no one in the crowd spoke. The Amazin ' Blue a cappella group topped the evening with a song called Forgiveness, by Patti Griffith. As the music moved over the crowd, most of the students sat together, spilling over the bricks of the Diag, the surrounding grass and even the limbs of the trees. Vigil organizers estimated that this was the largest student generated gathering ever. Immediately we knew we had to come together. There is no way to recognize now the magni- tude of what is happening to us, we ' re all in shock, said junior political science major Michael Simon. I woke up and wanted to spend the day with my friends. I just wanted us all to be together, Simon affirmed. The vigil he planned did just that, giving students a chance to come together. Afterward, Amita Sharma, a senior biopsychology major who grew up in Manhattan, confessed, I ' ve called my mother probably 20 times. Their cell phones aren ' t working. Nobody can get a hold of anybody and no one knows what is going on. I have so many memories and I love thetwintowers;you could see themfrom the windows where I worked. In the wake of the nation ' s most horrific tragedy, hundreds of students turned to each other. Some rejoiced with the loved ones they had taken for granted, while others courageously faced unbearable loss. Together, everyone entered into what was called America ' s New War. Michigan Life |23

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story continued from page 21 wanted to make sure that they were realizing that the campus was going through a shock wave, that kids would panic. I spent the rest of the day between the Fleming building and the MSA office coordinat- ing the CAPS services, the vigil, help lines and other support groups, said Matt Nolan, junior political science major and president of the Michigan Student Assembly. Nolan admitted his personal feelings did not emerge until later: I didn ' t really get a chance to react until that night when I got home. As I watched the TV, the severity of the day ' s events started to sinkin. My disbelief turned to shock, and I wentto bed not really knowing what was going to happen, but knowing that things had definitely changed forever. As a result of the student initiative to help, a stream of students could be seen heading down East University, South University and State Street at 9 p.m. In small groups and pairs, people in Ann Arbor moved toward the Diag. Vigil organizers passed out candles while mourners shared their matches and lighters. It was estimated that 1 5,000 people pressed together in front of the Graduate Library. There was no noise, and only the light from 1,000 votive candles. Speakers sensitively discussed issues including theadministration ' sresponseto terrorism, the governmental and political impact, and the religious and cultural responses, including anti-discrimination against Arab Americans. A moving statementfromE.Royster Harper, University Vice President for Student Affairs said, We are deeply proud of our diverse, multicultural community. Regardless of ethnic or national origin, we stand together in our grief and concern. We are committed to the ul NO MORE Vn IMS WV HEKE ' -A Protesting any further violence, Ann Arbor residents and students alike meet on the Diag to share their thoughts. With the shock of the World Trade Center deaths still fresh in their minds, it was horrific to some to acknowledge that more should have to die before the con- flict would be settled, photo by Betsy Foster The rock on the corner of Washtenaw and Hill stayed in red, white and blue paint for nearly three weeks after being painted. The message below the rock read, An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. photo by Betsy Foster 22 I Attack on America

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About Brightening up campus, IR-L-S hurst photoby Lauren Proux Sharing a kiss, tw - .chralc iid reuniting .nmer break. photo hy Ben Hayes 24 I Autumn in Ann Arbor