Students attend candlelight vigil to show solidarity after recent international attacks
When library worker Erica Bednarski-Smith checked her Twitter feed Friday night, she didn't expect it to be full of death. As she watched as the number of deaths in Paris increased from six to more than 100 in less than an hour, she received the notification of a terrorist attack in Lebanon.
She had to put her phone down and remind herself to breathe.
Organized Nov.13, the night of the attacks, about 60 people attended the candlelight vigil to express their grievances over the lives lost in attacks in Paris, Lebanon, Baghdad, Kenya and Syria. The vigil took place at the Fabinao Botanical Gardens.
“I was so overwhelmed on what was happening that I had to stop and put my phone down and compose myself,” Bednarski said. “I had to ask myself if there was anything I could do or if being supportive was all I can do. It all felt unreal.”
Friday’s terrorist attacks took the lives of more than 130 people around the world. The attack of a concert hall, restaurant, bar, cafe and sports stadium in Paris left more than than 120 people dead. The attack of a funeral left at least 19 people in Baghdad dead.
Thursday’s terrorist attack in a Lebanon market left at least 40 people dead in a double suicide bombing in Beirut.
“I had no words. It took a while to sink in. But we need to spread love. That’s the most important thing,” said Warren sophomore Bronwyn Moisan. “I’ve already seen people going against people who are Muslim and that’s not the right answer. We need to accept everyone.”
Faces were illuminated by small candles held in aluminum cups as participants stepped forward to express their grief. A majority of the speeches were dedicated to spreading love, peace and to remind others that terrorism does not have a religion.
The attendance of the vigil expanded to about 100 when Phi Mu Alpha, the male music fraternity on campus, came to perform “Amazing Grace” and France’s national anthem, “La Marseillaise.”
“It gave us a sense of solidarity. You feel like you’re helping people in a situation where you’re powerless. It gives people the sense of control over their reactions and it’s a way to spread love and cope,” said Flint sophomore Carissa Martin.
When Troy senior and vigil organizer Gabrielle Diandra made the Facebook event invitation for the vigil, she was concerned that it would receive backlash because it focused on more than just the recent and nationally covered Paris terrorist attacks, but of civilian deaths occurring around the world.
“I actually was extremely paranoid about making this event just because it took something like the tragedy in Paris to send us into this state of greater consciousness about the world we live in,” Diandra said. “Tonight is not just about Paris, or Beirut, or Baghdad, Kenya, Syria. It's just a time for us to get together and stand in love and compassion and awareness.”
