Vigil to Demand End to Structural Racism and Institutionalized Violence
Ferguson, MO, North Charleston, SC, New York City, Cleveland, Phoenix and even Beavercreek, Ohio — the past year’s headlines have publicized both alleged and proven instances of police using deadly, excessive force upon unarmed African-American males.
(LEFT) Wilmington College has a long history of campus vigils in support of peace and social justice.
A group of Wilmington College students led by senior Brianna Knisely plans a campus vigil Wednesday (April 29), from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15, near the entrance to campus at the corner of Main and College streets.
Knisely described the issue as a "nationally endemic" occurrence that only recently has gained “appropriate visibility and attention” from the larger American public. She said this “atrocity” demands a response from the citizenry.
“Our nation has seen the transformative power of the collective citizen voice many times before, and, during this critical time, we have the power to use our voice for transformation once again,” she said. “As civic participants, we will use this gathering to take a stand for peace and social justice, demanding an end to structural racism and institutionalized violence while commemorating the countless black lives that have been lost to this ugly discourse.”
Knisely encourages potential participants to bring signs and posters to “emphasize the vigil’s purpose, though you are respectfully asked to refrain from messages that contain hateful words or ideas.”
