I hope to write up a short story about this important event when I get a few minutes. Until then, MANY MANY thanks to all who showed up, to Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast for planning and leading the vigil, and to Dr. Constance Beutel, for this beautiful 20-minute video capturing much of the gathered spirit. (Note that the first 5 or 10 seconds of this video are silent…)
Repost from the Vallejo Times-Herald
BENICIA — A week after 13 people were violently killed in two separate shooting sprees, local residents have put together an impromptu gathering asking Benicians to stand against hate.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m., Thursday near the City Park Gazebo, located along First Street and Military West.
“Gather in solidarity, in song, in remembrance of those killed in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, in commitment to our common humanity,” according to an event flier.
One of the organizers, the Rev. Mary Susan Gast said that Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson is scheduled to office words of encouragement, Poet Laureate Tom Stanton will present a poem, while the Mourner’s Kaddish, a traditional prayer for the dead, will be offered in Hebrew.
“We will reflect on our unity as a nation and community of diversity,” she added.
Two African Americans were shot and killed in a Kroger grocery store in Kentucky on Oct. 24, which authorities are investigating as a hate crime.
Gregory Bush, a 51-year-old Caucasian man, has been accused of killing Maurice Stallard, 69, and Vickie Jones, 67, inside the Jeffersontown grocery store and outside the location, respectively.
Bush allegedly, prior to the shooting, attempted to enter a predominantly black church but was unable to get inside.
Then last Saturday, Robert Bowers entered Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue killing 11 people in one of the deadliest attack on Jewish individuals in U.S. history.
Bowers was indicted Wednesday on 44 federal charges, including 11 counts for obstructing religious freedom resulting in death and 11 counts of committing violent crime using a firearm.
California has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation. And yet, in less than 5 months so far in 2018, California has seen 8 mass shootings, killing 7 and injuring 32. Three of these incidents took place in the Bay Area (source: Gun Violence Archive). Even California’s laws need to be strengthened. For California legislative issues, see bayareastudentactivists.org/resources/.
| Incident Date | City Or County | # Killed | # Injured | More info |
| 27-Jan-18 | Los Angeles | 0 | 5 | View |
| 13-May-18 | Stockton | 3 | 2 | View |
| 9-Apr-18 | Vallejo | 0 | 4 | View |
| 20-Apr-18 | San Francisco | 1 | 5 | View |
| 12-Mar-18 | Modesto | 0 | 4 | View |
| 7-May-18 | San Diego | 0 | 5 | View |
| 21-Mar-18 | San Francisco | 1 | 5 | View |
| 13-May-18 | Los Angeles | 2 | 2 | View |
| Total 2018 as of 5-19-18 | 7 | 32 |
From National Public Radio, NPR:
The students behind the March for Our Lives movement, which started after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida, sent a note of support, saying, “This is the most fatal shooting since the one at our school and tragedies like this will continue to happen unless action is taken.”
One of the leaders of the group, Emma Gonzalez, added via Twitter, “Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this.”
Video of student reaction, comments: Youth Radio.
Here is a post from March For Our Lives on Twitter:
To the students and faculty of Santa Fe High School, we are with you. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/3DYXOhmwsP
— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) May 18, 2018
You must be logged in to post a comment.