The candlelight vigil was silent, and there were no signs or speeches. The participants were flanked by a number of Minneapolis Park police due to concerns that anti-abortion protesters might disrupt the event.

Linnea House, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota, said, “On a personal note, the candlelight vigil meant a lot to me, as we remembered Dr. George Tiller as caring, compassionate and dedicated physician. The half hour silence allowed each of us to reflect on what his service meant to us, and how each of us could commit to continuing his vision to ‘trust women.’”

While the candlelight vigils have become an important way for the community to remember the people slain by pro-life extremists, some say they are not enough.

“It is good and necessary that people gather together at a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Dr. George Tiller, murdered in cold blood… But I myself am done with candlelight vigils,” said Gloria Feldt, former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “I have participated in too many of them, from 1993 with the murder of Dr. David Gunn in Pensacola through the seven doctors, patient escorts and staff murdered over the horrifying five-year period thereafter.”

Feldt says what’s needed is strong statements from President Obama and members Congress condemning not only the murder but also the intimidation of women seeking reproductive services.

The vigil Tuesday night will not be political. “There will be no speaking program, no bullhorns, no chanting and no political rhetoric,” said the Minnesota Pro-choice Coalition in a press release. “We just want to gather to silently reflect on one man’s life and contribution to the pro-choice movement, and to mourn among other pro-choice supporters.”