Interfaith Vigil for Black Lives

In response to the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade and Rayshard Brooks, and many others, our nation has seen a great uprising of people across race, age, and creed, insisting on the inherent worth of Black lives.   

Many Americans seem to be finally “waking up” to the longstanding and deeply entrenched blights of systemic racism and white supremacy. The various movements and protests over the past month have already affected the national discourse around racism and police brutality, engendering a sense that a “new thing” is happening in our midst.   

However, as time passes and the initial fervor wanes, it is important to remind ourselves that this struggle is a long one. If we are to see lasting, holistic, systemic change, we have to keep up the pressure… We have to keep speaking out… We have to stay awake.  

As people of faith and stakeholders in the Oakland community, we believe it is our time to show out and honor the many Black lives lost by standing for the cause of justice and antiracist work in our community.   

Our goal is to organize a chain of participants stretching down Fifth Ave from Bellefield Ave to Robinson St. We will start gathering on the sidewalk at the intersection of Fifth Ave and DeSoto St. (UPMC Presby side) and spread out from there. All participants will be asked to wear a mask and maintain social distance (i.e. stand six feet apart).   

We are inviting people of all faith (and non-faith!) traditions to join us in this effort. Come and bring a sign that remembers the dead or calls for justice. Come and stand with your neighbors to say, “Enough is enough!” Come and “keep watch” for now that we are awake we cannot fall asleep again while there is so much work to do.