Episode 237: Vigil
Oct 02, 2025•13 min
Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Summary
This episode recounts the powerful story of the anti-nuclear peace vigil that stood outside the White House for 44 years. It details the journey of its founders, William Thomas, Concepcion Picciotto, and Ellen Thomas, who dedicated their lives to protesting nuclear weapons and government policies. Despite arrests, hardship, and the elements, their persistent presence served as a constant reminder of global peril, eventually outliving them before its removal in 2025.Episode description
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm.
The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate.
Music
- On-ness by Tom Rogerson and Eno.
- Etude by Joep Beving
- Ebb Tide by Houston & Dorsey
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android