Community leaders hold vigil in Asbury Park for victims of gun violence after Buffalo
ASBURY PARK – Nine days after a racist terror attack at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, left 10 people dead, religious leaders here gathered in Springwood Park to pray for all victims of gun violence and their families.
Just this month the nation was left feeling numb again after two racist shootings, one in upstate New York and another in Orange County, California. Locally, as hate crimes continue to rise around the Jersey Shore, gun violence continues to affect family after family.
Semaj Y. Vanzant, Sr., pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park, organized the Monday night candlelight vigil. He told the people who gathered at the park that people "may not know the power of prayer, but (they) need to be prayed for, and so we are here."
The pastor said he was following the news of another shooting, and the sheer amount of gun violence in the United States was the catalyst for the vigil.
"They read all of the places in our country that have had mass shootings, and the article said they were astounded because it took them three minutes to read all of the places that we have had mass shootings in this country. It takes a second to say a name, and so it took them three minutes to mention all of the different places that we had shootings," Vanzant said.
The normalization of mass shootings, he said, disturbs him.
"It has almost become a normal thing, and my prayer is that we make it an abnormal thing again. We don't want to hear about people losing their lives senselessly to violence, and we are so grateful to our law enforcement who are on the front lines day in and day out," Vanzant said.
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Each of the pastors then offered prayers to comfort those in need.
Pastor Jason Jennings of the Rebirth Church prayed for comfort.
Pastor Tommy Miles of Macedonia Baptist Church prayed for protection.
Isaac Freidel from Shore Christian Church prayed for peace.
Pastor Lyddale Akins of Triumphant Life Church prayed for community.
The Rev. Kerwin Webb, associate pastor at Second Baptist Church, prayed for systemic change.
Then, Vanzant closed the vigil, offering prayers for unity and bringing light to the darkness.
Besides congregants and residents, police and elected officials also were present.
Councilwoman Eileen Chapman said "what took place in Springwood Park tonight should serve as a model for all communities."
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"The opportunity for all members of our wide community to gather in prayer is inspirational and uplifting. It leaves no room for violence and hatred. I'm most grateful to the pastors who organized and participated in tonight's prayer vigil for peace and unity," Chapman said.
Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn added, "Asbury Park is lucky to have a dedicated and involved group of pastors organizing an important vigil for our community."
Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Asbury Park, NJ gathers to pray for victims of gun violence
