Memorial Day Vigil in L.A. to End Gun Violence:
Where Do We Go From Here?
by Michael Novick, Anti-Racist Action L.A.
On Memorial Day May 30, 2022, from 10am until a little past 12 noon, the Black Jewish Justice Alliance (BJJA), Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), SCLC, BEND THE ARC along with Clergy 4 Black Lives & NAACP-SFV held an Ecumenical and Interfaith community vigil to Honor the Lives of the souls lost at the recent Buffalo, Laguna Woods, and Uvalde TX shootings and to remember in reverence all victims of white supremacist ideology and violence. At this vigil, the community gathered to answer the question: “Where Do We Go From Here?” Over 200 people of all ages and many faiths, led by Black, indigenous and Asian-Pacific people responding to the shootings of Black people in Buffalo, Taiwanese in Laguna Woods, and Chicano-Mexicano children and teachers in Uvalde.
Presentations included speeches by community members directly impacted, Dr. Melina Abdullah of BLM-LA, Rabbi Aryeh Cohen of Bend the Arc, Rabbi Susan Goldberg of Nefesh, Rev. William Smart of the SCLC and many more. Creative and artistic expressions from various faith traditions included Kayo Anderson and Creating Justice Artivist Village and more. There were speakers from the Taiwanese-American community regarding the Laguna Woods shooting, as well as a member of BLM-LA originally from Buffalo and close to one of those killed.
Those participating expressed not only their faith and their grief, but their commitment to action against white supremacy, gun violence, greed and political inaction.
For more information, contact: Pastor Cue Jn-Marie Cue@cluejustice.org; Rabbi Aryeh Cohen acohen@bendthearc.us
