For Christians, Good Friday is the day on which we confront violence and death in all its ugliness and sorrow. While some may skip past the pain of the crucifixion and jump straight to the joy of Easter, others choose to make Good Friday a day reflection that spurs them to seek justice and peace in their own time and in their own communities. This year First Congregational United Church of Christ in Vancouver is doing that by holding a Good Friday candlelight vigil in memory of Trayvon Martin. For this vigil, the public is invited to come and light a candle on an altar dedicated to Martin. Participants may then stay for prayer and reflection in the church’s sanctuary as music is played.
Vigils for Trayvon Martin have been held across the nation in towns and cities ranging from Chicago to Chattanooga and from New York to Des Moines. Much of the organizing for these events has occurred through the internet, especially through social media such as facebook and twitter. One website devoted to vigils for Trayvon Martin declares, “We won’t stand idly by as a young man is killed because he was ‘walking while black.’” It adds, “A vigil won’t change our system overnight, but it might get folks to look up and take notice.”
Religious leaders and communities have been part of the groundswell of activity throughout the country as people have realized that the killing of Trayvon Martin is part of a larger societal problem. The Rev. Jesse Jackson states, “The tragic reality of the Trayvon Martin case is not unique but universal; it was not unusual, but typical. Racial profiling is all too common in the US, and has led to the killing of a young man.” Jackson cites two recent cases of the Chicago police shooting and killing persons. In one case, it was a black 15-year old with Asperger’s Syndrom named Stephon Watts.
In both Vancouver and Portland, the Trayvon Martin case connects to local issues of racism. Many in Vancouver remember the toxic climate created by racist stereotypes and fears during the Bethany Storro incident. Storro claimed to have had acid thrown upon her face by a black woman only to later confess that this was a lie and that the injuries were self-inflicted. In Portland, an arbitration ruling recently ordered that Ronald Frashour be reinstated as a police officer despite his killing of Aaron Campbell, an unarmed 25-year old black male who was shot in the back.
The Good Friday Candlelight Vigil at First Congregational UCC will be held on April 6th from 12 noon to 7 pm. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to petition Florida’s 4th District State’s Attorney Angela Corey as she prosecutes the case.
Co-sponsors for the event include the Washington Commission on African American Affairs and the Urban Entrepreneur Network.