The vigil was designed to spend some time reflecting on the events that took place in Charlottesville, but also to come out against hate.
The night began with a silent reflection period and candlelight vigil. Organizer Rachel Wagner says the moment is meant for people to think about what happened and what they could do to combat the hate they saw in the riots.
She said, “To use our voices, non violence, but use our voices and our words to express that this kind of hate is not acceptable and that racism in America needs to stop.”
David Woleslegle attended, but doesn’t agree with all of the messages. He sides with President Trump on who is to blame for the violence.
He explained,”As far as one group being right and one group being wrong, there is no right an wrong in this. This has all been based in hate. And both sides were wrong. That’s what I think President Trump was saying when he said that both sides were fighting with each other. It takes two sides to fight.”
Wagner doesn’t believe there were two sides motivated by hate. She says only one side gathered to promote oppression against people of color. She detailed, “There is only one side that has seen historical oppression. White people were not enslaved in the united states by black people. It was the other way around. That history is still with us. So there are not two sides.”
Despite the disagreement, they both agree there isn’t room for hate in the country. Woleslegle says he was motivated by his faith to show up to the vigil to pray for the victims and the end of hatred.
He explained, “That’s what Jesus taught us. He taught us to take care of each other. And to look out for not based upon anybody’s color or race or anything. Anything other than care for each other. That’s what Jesus would want. He wouldn’t want us to be hating.”
There will be another event like this next week. The Unity Coalition will host a solidarity rally in Johnstown Thursday at 5:30pm in Central Park. Anyone is welcome to attend.