SLIPPERY ROCK - They stood silently at the corner of Main and Franklin streets, dressed in black.

During their hour-long vigil Oct. 10, the 10 women

could perhaps be

mistaken for a group of odd Halloween pranksters. With the election approaching, some wary residents might suspect a radical group protesting a campaign issue.

But Women in Black claim no interest in Halloween and have no political ties. They are simply a group of residents who protest war, ethnic cleansing, human rights abuses and other needless destruction of people and the natural environment.

An "international peace network," Women in Black was launched in Israel in 1988 by women standing against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It has since spread to more than a dozen countries and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.

Pennsylvania has only two or three active WIB chapters, which tend to form in larger cities. The opening of such a chapter in Slippery Rock, therefore, is somewhat unusual.

However, Sharon Sykora, who stood with the group on Sunday, said residents in northwestern Butler County are just like everyone else.

"I think people in Slippery Rock want, or need, to be shaken out of their complacency," she said.

The event was organized by the Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Slippery Rock. Lori Sands, chairwoman of the congregation's Social Justice/Social Action group, said she got the idea after a California woman spoke about WIB last spring at a church concert.

The woman's small town reminded Sands of Slippery Rock and seemed like something the church would be interested in.

"We have a very peace-oriented congregation, and I just thought this fit our temperament," she said. "We just want to show our peaceful leanings and hope others will join us."

Despite the group's title, some men also participated by standing across the street. Sands said they would consider changing WIB's name if they attract a lot more people, especially a lot more men.

The public reaction to the group's first time standing on Sunday seemed to be curiosity or confusion.

"Everybody stared," Sands said. "It seems like no one knew what to make of us."

Several people took literature the group spread out on the sidewalk. Only one person talked to the group, to ask if they were local to the area.

WIB hopes to attract more participants in the future. They will stand again from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 24 and Nov. 7.

The group has sent information to other churches in the area, several of which have already expressed interest. They have also contacted the Peace and Justice Coalition at Slippery Rock University.

Sands said WIB provides an outlet for all local residents to express their desire for peace, regardless of individual faith.

"Everybody's interested in peace," she said.

Sykora also pointed out that people can participate in something without having to join an organization.

"It's simple," she said. "You can take an hour out of your life to stand on the corner."

For more information or to participate, contact Sharon Sykora at 724-735-4880. send an e-mail to gingerhilluuc@yahoo.com. or log on to www.womeninblack.net.