After a peaceful and successful protest led by Columbia High School graduates on Thursday, July 7, the Maplewood and South Orange communities gathered at Maplecrest Park for a candlelight vigil Friday evening to honor and remember two Black men shot and killed by police this week in Louisiana and Minnesota, as well as the five officers killed in retaliation by a shooter in Dallas, and to speak frankly about the issues behind the violence.
Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were shot and killed by police officers this week in separate incidents in Louisiana and Minnesota, sparking protests nationwide.
Even with uncooperative weather, Friday’s vigil in Maplewood began at 7 p.m. with quiet greetings and chatting. Many waited for the organizers of the protest to arrive before beginning the vigil, while others took the time to speak their mind and remind attendees of the necessity of human connection during times of national grief.
Maplewood resident Lisa Duggan, who arrived early, said that she believed the most important outcome of the night would be: “Presence. Coming together. It still feels so lonely, even though we have social media.”
Deputy Mayor Nancy Adams offered words of encouragement before handing off the event to the protest organizers, Columbia High School graduates Felisha George (Class of 2012) and Sydney Scruggs (Class of ’13).
“We embrace difference and that’s why we’re all here. We’re smart, we’re educated, we care, we’re different, and we like that we’re different,” said Adams. She also urged community members to write to legislators — “bombard them with paper” — and insist on changes.
George wished to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Maplewood and South Orange police departments. “We need to be clapping for the [Maplewood and South Orange] police as well,” she said. “We live in a place where our cops protect us.”
Scruggs talked about the need to overcome prejudices based on appearance: “You should be less concerned with the ink on my body and more concerned with the character inside.”
An overarching message from the night was the necessity to discuss the issue of racism and violence with children.
Multiple mothers of Maplewood and South Orange youth addressed the crowd. One said, “We don’t want what’s happening outside to interfere with what’s happening inside in South Orange and in Maplewood.” Others spoke of the difficulty of finding a role in the current movement. Mothers also echoed each other in asking that people strive to teach their children to find goodness in everybody. One mother spoke about her concern that South Orange and Maplewood residents exist “in a bubble” and forget that living in a successful diverse community does not make the towns exempt from issues of racism and violence. “We’re a part of a larger world,” she said.
Local resident Maggie Greenwald told the youth leading the vigil how appreciative she was of their guidance: “We are looking to youth for guidance. We need your leadership and that can help us support you.” Attendees spoke of their belief that the people capable of making “real change” are the youth of Maplewood and South Orange with their ability to have honest and open conversations.
The evening highlighted the South Orange-Maplewood community’s pride in its diversity, as well as a collective belief that change is possible — a hopeful note at a time of national chaos and pain.
The vigil ended with lit candles, linked arms and tears of compassion as local residents came together to sing in remembrance of those recently killed and in prayer for the future.
Photos by Ruby Thompson and Thandi Center. Click to enlarge:
