After yet another senseless shooting, we at Raising Voices are turning our anger and pain into action. Thoughts and prayers are not enough – they never were. The innocent lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, were not the first, and sadly, will not be the last. It’s time to force our legislators to act – we’re failing our children and ourselves.
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s Vigil for Charlottesville. If you missed the vigil, we have a full recap here, including press coverage of the event. A special thank you to our co-sponsors, Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, Indivisible of RVC, NYS Assembly Member Brian Curran, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, R.V.C., United Church of Rockville Centre, the Village of Rockville Centre, and Vineyard Church. Your involvement was a powerful display of community and a reminder of how powerful we are when we raise our voices in unison.
These tensions and this struggle will not go away quickly or quietly. It is vital to keep speaking up against racism, intolerance, and hatred.
Ways to take action this week:
“We are here tonight to be heard, and to remind ourselves and each other of the power and the responsibility that each of us has every day. We have to use our voices and encourage others to use theirs for the common good.”
– Emma Travers, co-founder, Raising Voices USA
There was a huge turnout at Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, in Rockville Centre, New York this evening as people gathered on the steps, onto the sidewalks, and around the corner for a moving and heartfelt vigil. The “Unite the Right Rally” in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend left three dead and many injured in a horrific display of racism and white supremacy.
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, State Senator Todd Kaminsky, Rabbi Elliot Skiddell of Central Synagogue, the Rev. Scott Ressman of the United Church of Rockville Centre, and Pastor Robert Grimm of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church were among the vigil’s speakers.
We at Raising Voices USA stand together as one, as we condemn acts of racism and strive toward unity and understanding.
CHARLOTTESVILLE VIGIL
Thursday, August 17 @ 7:00 pm
Raise your voice as we join with numerous local clergy and elected officials for a vigil in response to this weekend’s events in Charlottesville:
Thursday, August 17, 7:00 pm
Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth
(DeMott Avenue, Rockville Centre)
We will gather on the front steps of the synagogue and stand together as one with other community organizations as we condemn acts of racism and strive toward unity and understanding. Friends, family and neighbors are encouraged to join us.
This event is co-sponsored by RaisingVoicesUSA, Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, United Church of Rockville Centre, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, R.V.C., Vineyard Church, NYS Assembly Member Brian Curran, Indivisible of RVC, and the Village of Rockville Centre.
