3 vigils scheduled for Durham, NC tonight

Please read pamindurham's excellent "Crosses burned in Durham, NC"

3 candlelight vigils in Durham are planned for tonight.
Location of West Durham vigil has been finalized.  More info about vigils below the fold.

Apologies for repeating, but the info has scrolled out of most peoples' sight.

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 The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham is calling for vigils at all three locations tonight, Thursday May 26, and believe strongly that a large community response to the cross burnings is important. The NC Peace & Justice Coalition encourages everyone in the area to join in a loud community response to these acts of violence, hatred, racism and intimidation.

 PLEASE COME TONIGHT TO ONE OF THREE CANDLELIGHT VIGILS TO STAND AGAINST KLAN VIOLENCE, CROSS BURNING, AND RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITIES: BRING YOUR CANDLES!

 DOWNTOWN VIGIL: 6:00 community dinner and discussion on the cross burnings and the communty's response, 7:30 pm Vigil: Meet for both at the Durham Main Library parking lot, at 300 N Roxsboro, between Holloway and Liberty streets. The dinner will take place within walking distance of the library. The vigil will likely take place near the site of the cross burning, 2 blocks away at the United House of Prayer on Dillard and Holloway. If you can help bring a dish, banners, or candles, much appreciated.

WEST DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 pm At Oval Park, located on West Club Blvd at Oakland Ave (between Hillandale and Broad St.).  Blvd.). Bring candles.  The Church pastor and neighborhood and community groups are involved in the planning.

SOUTH DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 pm on the sidewalk on South Roxboro Street, near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in front of the site of the cross burning. The plan at present is to have everyone gather on the sidewalk at the site of the burning on South Roxboro Street tonight at 8 pm and bring a candle "to shine some light in this moment of darkness." Churches and civic organizations are being contacted and fliers are being printed up.

WE JUST WON'T TOLERATE... RACISM
 NO, WE WON'T TOLERATE... EXPLOITATION
 WE JUST WON'T TOLERTAE... INJUSTICE
 WE'RE GONNA STAND.... WE'RE GONNA STAND...
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According to a local organizer, "Tonight's three vigils are initial responses to last night's hate crimes. Larger, city-wide events are being planned in the coming days."

•  I am glad this is

  happening.  People need to get together and say they will not be bullied.

  by TeresaInPa on Thu May 26, 2005 at 04:20:00 PM PDT

•  Fighting fire with fire

  Peaceful, little fires, that is.

  Congratulations for finding a positive, peaceful way to handle this.

  by chimpy on Thu May 26, 2005 at 04:20:30 PM PDT

•  I so wish I could go

  Can't drive from Illinois to Durham by sundown, I'm afraid!

  I hope you get a huge turnout, with lots of support and media attention. My heart's right there with you.

  by trueblue illinois on Thu May 26, 2005 at 05:52:43 PM PDT

  •  Thanks so much

    Considering how little notice we had to organize several events and spread the word, we had a great crowd. Conflicting reports say 40-200 downtown. Haven't heard from South Durham, yet.  In West Durham, we had I would guess 70-100 people (??). Slightly skewed but reasonably good representation of different races, ages, genders, religious backgrounds and economics levels, mostly drawn from the neighborhood. Plus kids and dogs. Even the police were feeling part of the crowd.  Many different people speaking their hearts and minds.  It was a good coming together for the neighborhood.  More tomorrow.  Also larger events in the next week, I hear.  Durham is not going to let this fly.

    Thanks again.  We knew there were many more people who would have liked to have been there.

    by JOyODurham on Thu May 26, 2005 at 08:54:28 PM PDT

    •  Very glad to hear this!

      Sometimes things like these can really bring a community together and backfire on those who instigated the triggering event. I certainly hope this is the case in your area.

      by trueblue illinois on Fri May 27, 2005 at 07:17:19 AM PDT