Carrie Fisher Honored With Lightsaber Vigils Around The Country

When actor, author and cultural icon Carrie Fisher passed away on December 27, fans across the globe reacted with shock and sorrow. Fisher was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” film series, but she was also known as an outspoken feminist and champion of mental health awareness. Her frank, funny memoirs and one-woman show helped to shed light on important issues such as addiction and bipolar disorder.

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Fans have been mourning the loss of this great woman in their own individual ways, but one group of fans gathered at Disneyland to hold a touching “light saber vigil” that brought tears to the eyes of people everywhere.

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Organizer Jeff Rowan says that the vigil was spur-of-the-moment, and he told Rolling Stone:

“I decided that I think we should be paying homage to her and a lightsaber vigil was very fitting – even though technically she never really even carried a lightsaber – but I thought that it was a very fitting way for us to say goodbye to her.”

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The vigil was attended by hundreds of fans, which was held at Downtown Disney, in Anaheim, California. It was a moving tribute to a woman who uplifted so many others with her light and her humor.

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Several other groups across the country came together to honor Fisher in a similar manner, and we expect more to follow.

The movie chain Alamo Drafthouse organized lightsaber memorials in honor of the actor. Attendees dressed as their favorite “Star Wars” characters and brought lightsabers to hold during the vigil.

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Debbie Reynolds, Fisher’s mother, died just one day after her beloved daughter, leading some to believe she died of a broken heart.

Celebrities have been mourning their deaths on Twitter and Facebook. Upon hearing of Fisher’s death, director Steven Spielberg shared these moving words about his friend:

“I have always stood in awe of Carrie. Her observations always made me laugh and gasp at the same time. She didn’t need The Force. She was a force of nature, of loyalty and of friendship. I will miss her very much.”

So will we all.

h/t: Rolling Stone