To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.

The Orange County newspapers won’t be telling you this, but there are plenty of places in OC for you to stand up and protest the war in Iraq. Here’s a list we’ve compiled:

Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. There is a weekly, silent vigil for all of the victims of the war in Iraq. They meet in Laguna Hills on the corner of El Toro Road and Paseo de Valencia. If possible, dress in black. Contact: wiblaagunawoods@yahoo.com, www.ocpeace.org/weeklylagunawoods.html

Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Protest the war at the Orange traffic circle in Old Town Orange. Bring an anti-war sign and wear pink! Contact: Kathy@codepinkoc.org

Fridays 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A long-standing peace vigil to say “NO” to the invasion of Iraq at the corner of Bristol & Anton in Costa Mesa (right in front of the major entrance to South Coast Plaza). Bring noise-makers. This has generally been the biggest of the weekly vigils and is approaching four years of weekly protests. Contact: Chuck Anderson, quetzalcoatl38@aol.com, 714.956.5037 or Mike Mang, 949.721.1139

Fridays 6:00 p.m. Another vigil in Costa Mesa, this one to support Mirna Burciaga, Democrat and candidate for Costa Mesa city council, and picketing of the Minuteman nearby supported establishment at El Chinaco, at 560 W. 19th St. (about 2 blocks west of Newport Avenue)

Fridays 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Protest & Boycott in one. Join other immigrant rights advocates for peaceful, non-violent protests at Skosh Monahan’s Steakhouse and Irish Pub: 2000 Newport Blvd. (in Costa Mesa on the corner of Newport and 20th). Contact: 714.595.3623, or email matlazinka68@yahoo.com

Saturdays 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Vigil for Peace in the Middle East and throughout the world in Laguna Beach. Join us at the Laguna Main Beach (PCH at Ocean Avenue). There are signs at the vigil, or bring your own message opposing the “war against terrorism,” the US invasion of Iraq, and demanding nonviolent solutions to conflict. Contact: 949.499.3190, http://www.ocpeace.org/weeklylaguna.html

Saturday 1:00 p.m. The Food Not Bombs organization in Anaheim feeds at La Palma Park. It’s not exactly a protest, but you can protest the way and its effects on our economy by helping out the less fortunate. Help serve food and break bread with fellow peace lovers. Contact: Annalisesa, foodnotbombsanaheim@gmail.com, 714.526.3576

Saturdays 3:00 p.m. San Clemente’s Food Not Bombs protest at Max Berg Plaza Park: 1100 Calle Puente. Contact: brokenswingset@aol.com, www.ocpeace.org/weeklysanclemente.html

Sundays 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Each Sunday evening a group of people that believe that peace is possible, and that it will happen once enough people believe that it can. They stand at the foot of the Huntington Beach pier (Main St. & PCH) with a banner that says: “Visualize World Peace. It’s up to you.” Please bring a covered candle or just help them hold up their banner. They ask that you don’t bring signs. Contact: mtheriault@socal.rr.com

Sundays The Veterans For Peace continue its Arlington West Project where they place crosses in the sand on the beach at 6th Street. If you’re interested in helping contact Dennis Berman: dberman0406@aol.com