I agree with the author of "You can stop protesting now that the war is over" (April 22 letter); people can stop protesting now. But the people he attacked -- the people stationed at the Allen Street gates -- aren't the terrible people he thinks they are.

Like the author, I am in support of the war. I have gotten angry with protesters who forget about the troops who need their support. But the "eyesore" on Allen Street is a good thing.

While the people sitting under the worn-out tent may have a pre-dominant anti-war attitude, they aren't actively protesting. They aren't rude, or making a mess. They invite dialogue with people and their various opinions on the war. They're remembering those who have died in Iraq.

One night, I stopped and talked to someone there and asked her what she was doing. When she told me the above reasons, I had to shake her hand. I know people fighting for our country, and the fact that she invited me to light a candle of hope was comforting.

From what I read in his letter, I don't think the author even tried to find out the vigil's representation. He should talk to someone sitting under that tent and actually see the good it's doing people. If they were obnoxious or violent, I'd be upset too, but they're not. They encourage debate, and difference of opinion is what this country is all about.