Candlelight vigil brings students together to honor victims of Tucson, Ariz. shooting

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Candles were lit, speeches were shared and then there was a moment of silence.

It was Allendale freshman Katie Campbell’s first time attending a candle light vigil. She was one of about 30 students and faculty members in Warriner Mall Thursday night to join in the College Democrats-organized remembrance in  of the victims of the Tucson, Ariz. shooting.

Campbell thought the event was something all colleges should have organized.

“An important point was made,” she said, “that we need to start (looking) at people for who they are and not what they believe.”

Campbell was there supporting Schoolcraft freshman Shane McGoff, the media director of College Democrats, who coordinated the vigil.

McGoff said he wasn’t sure what to expect, but appreciated sharing the moment of healing with everyone that came.

He began the event with a speech saying peoples’ beliefs should be expressed through unity and understanding; not violence.

University President George Ross attended the vigil and also spoke.

“We shouldn’t point the blame at people we disagree with,” he said.

Ross said he was disappointed that both political parties were not focused on the victims and their families days after the shooting. He said he came to the vigil to support the students and to help them recognize both the tragedy and the healing that trails a nationally traumatic event like the shooting.

Southgate senior Stephen Johnson, communications director of College Democrats, also attended.

“It doesn’t directly impact me, but we are one country and we need to show our support no matter what,” Johnson said.