St. Markers Take Part in Vigil Against Hate
On Tuesday evening, May 24th, residents of the Township of Teaneck, NJ gathered yet again to remember and mourn proud citizens of this country whose lives have been taken by the senseless and horrific use of guns. This event was organized by Cheryl Hall of the Teaneck Interfaith Community which consists of ordained clergy and laypeople who represent the different faith traditions practiced in the township.
The event was created to be a Vigil Against Hate in honor of the ten individuals who were maliciously gunned down by a domestic radicalized eighteen year old man in Buffalo, NY, earlier this month. Designated residents came to the podium and said the names of each of the ten as well as others who have been killed as a result of crimes perpetuated by hate. Members of the Community, state and local politicians and township residents offered reflections and prayers but also voiced tremendous frustration at our elected officials who blatantly refuse to pass more effective gun control legislation that would clearly help to save lives. Each speaker also stressed the importance of all of us coming together in unity and respect to eradicate the forces of hate.
Next, leaders of various faith groups addressed the crowd. The Rev. Dr. Michele White, Vicar of Christ Church (Episcopal) pointed out that both victims and perpetrators are the products of an oppressive system in which inequity, resentment and pain can thrive. Referencing the Gospel from this past Sunday in which Jesus asked the paralytic “Do you want to be healed?” she challenged the crowd to engage in self-reflection on our own roles in the current state of affairs and consider what action we might take to create change.
Other participants included:
- The Rev. Patt Kauffman, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Teaneck/Ridgefield
- Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky, Congregation Beth Shalom
- Brian Weber, Wilhelm Bahá’í Properties
- Father Joseph D’Amico, St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church
- U.S. Rep. Joshua S. Gottheimer
- Hafiz Imam Saeed Qureshi, Dar-ul-Islah Mosque
- Roosevel Sills, a resident and soldier in the U.S. Army
- Omar Acosta, a 19 year-old student of the University of Binghamton and parishioner at St. Anastasia
- The Hon. James Dunleavy, Mayor
The event was filmed by our own Allison Davis and is viewable below.
Interfaith Vigil from Allison Davis on Vimeo.