Compassion, Light, Hope
Compassion, Light, Hope: A Candlelight Vigil in Photos
On Tuesday, February 16th, exactly one week after the tragic events that occurred outside of the Colman School building on February 9, 2021, NAAM held a community candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Anais Valencia and call for community unity. We share our deepest sympathies with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives and to the injured. Below, we share photos of the beautiful gathering held in Jimi Hendrix Park.
We thank the various clergy and community leaders who spoke words of comfort and hope to our community during the vigil:
Rev. Dr. Patricia Hunter, Pastor of Education & Outreach, First Baptist Church & Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Carey Anderson, Pastor, First African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Mary Bogan, Associate Minister, Damascus International Fellowship Baptist Church
Rev. Rick Rouse, Pastor Emeritus within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Pastor Larry Willis, United Black Christian Clergy of Seattle
Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, Rabbi Emeritus of Herzl-Ner Tamid
Rev. Dr. Robert Jeffrey, Sr., Pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Harriet Walden, Mothers for Police Accountability
Kibibi Monie, Executive Director of Nu Black Arts West
Omari Salisbury, Converge Media
Devitta Briscoe, Not This Time
Winona Hauge, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence
Victoria Beach, African American Community Advisory Council
Deaunte Damper, Black Lives Matter Seattle King County
“In times like these, compassion is more effective, light is more radiant, and hope is more eternal. One string of commonality we all hold is that we are all in the land of the living together, breathing the same air, and thus connected to the same humanity. Everyone brings value to our shared humanity. We can all make living more hopeful for one another by sharing compassion one toward another. Hope and love, like despair and hate, are choices.” -LaNesha DeBardelaben, President & CEO, NAAM
Photos Courtesy of Jake Gravbrot / Converge Media
