By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Eighty people sought refuge and peace in a place of worship Sunday evening in Bowling Green. They remembered the 11 people killed a week ago while seeking sanctuary in their place of worship near Pittsburgh. And they remembered the two people shot down a few days earlier while grocery shopping in Jeffersontown, Kentucky.
They were killed for being Jewish, and killed for being black.
People of all faith and all races gathered at First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green to be “agents of justice” in a world where that seems to be lacking.
“We are here as people who believe that hatred and evil cannot have the last word,” said Rev. Mary Jane Saunders.
“Violence against people of any faith should alarm people of all faiths,” she said. “Violence against any person should alarm all persons.”
Rev. Gary Saunders noted the frequency of vigils held in recent years, sponsored by Not In Our Town Bowling Green.
“Unfortunately over the years, we’ve had a number of events where the community just needs to come together,” he said.
Mary Jane Saunders cautioned those gathered once again to not be overwhelmed by the work ahead.
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief,” she said.
Jenny Dever tells about life of one of the victims.
One by one, the stories of the Pittsburgh and Jeffersontown victims were read aloud.
Killed in the synagogue, there were grandparents, doctors, a retired accountant, a couple married more than 60 years, and two brother who were developmentally disabled. They were remembered for their devotion to the synagogue, their generosity, their humor.
And now they will be remembered for the “special horror” of being killed in their place of sanctuary.
At the grocery store, one of the victims was shopping with his grandson to get poster board for the 12-year-old’s school project.
“They were going about the most mundane task of life,” in a grocery store, Mary Jane Saunders said.
Obituaries of two of the victims of the Tree of Life murders displayed.
Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards talked about the origin of the Not In Our Town movement after the defacing of a synagogue in Bloomington, Indiana. He talked about the “massacre of the innocents” at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill.
Edwards asked those present to take a stand and denounce the spreading of hatred in any form.
The mayor ended his comments with a message from the late public television star Mr. Rogers, who once lived in Squirrel Hill.
“Love thy neighbor. No exceptions,” he said, quoting Rogers.
Chris Bullins, dean of students at Bowling Green State University, spoke on behalf of the university community.
“Senseless acts like these have no place in our schools, our churches, our communities,” Bullins said.
He finished by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”
Joe Jacoby, representing the Jewish community, read the 23rd Psalm. Ethan Glassman, student president of the Hillel organization on campus, read the Mourners Kaddish as candles were lit for the victims. And Ginny Stewart read Langston Hughes’ poem, “I Dream a World.”
Imam Talal Eid of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
Also speaking was Imam Talal Eid, from the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo.
“I pray our gathering today will be a gathering of healing,” the Imam said. The people of this nation have one option to make this country strong, he said. That is to know one another.
“Isn’t it true that my blood and your blood are the same,” he asked.
Embracing diversity, love and peace will defeat hatred, he said.
“Those who attempt to destroy our harmony – we all need to make sure those people are defeated,” the Imam said. “Let us stand shoulder to shoulder against discrimination, hate and violence.”
Heather Sayler and Sandy Rowland light candles at vigil.
As the vigil closed, those gathered stood holding candles in the darkness – remembering those slaughtered in their place of worship and at their grocery store.
They sang “Let There Be Peace On Earth” and as Gary Saunders said, hoped for the “day and time when vigils will be no more.”
