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Several protesters held signs paying tribute to murdered Charlottesville protester Heather Heyer. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Mahdia Lynn, who founded the Masjid al-Rabia mosque. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Community activist Anthony Clark addresses the vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
The crowd at Aug. 13 vigil at Federal Plaza. Photo by Tracy Baim -
The crowd listens as Kofi Ademola of Black Lives Matter (right) addresses the vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Lashawn Latrice of Black Lives Matter Women of Faith. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Photo by Tracy Baim -
Photo by Tracy Baim -
At the end of the vigil, flowers surrounded a sign in honor of murdered protester Heather Heyer. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Words drawn on the ground at Federal Plaza for the Aug. 13 vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Words drawn on the ground at Federal Plaza for the Aug. 13 vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Words drawn on the ground at Federal Plaza for the Aug. 13 vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Words drawn on the ground at Federal Plaza for the Aug. 13 vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Words drawn on the ground at Federal Plaza for the Aug. 13 vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Words drawn on the ground at Federal Plaza for the Aug. 13 vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Attendees at the vigil. Photo by Tracy Baim -
Photo by Tracy Baim
A broad coalition of progressive organizations held an evening vigil at Federal Plaza to stand in solidarity with Charlottesville. Speakers from across a coalition of groups and affected communities shared their stories of “unity and defiance in the face of racism.” There was a “living memorial” of flowers to honor Heather Heyer and all the victims of Charlottesville.
Organizing groups included Women’s March, Indivisible, One Million Hoodies, Working Families Party, Democracy For America, and dozens of other progressive organizations. Participating groups in the Aug. 13 evening vigil included: Women’s March Illinois, Indivisible Illinois, Indivisible Chicago, Friends Who March, Black Lives Matter, Women Of Faith, Suburban Unity Alliance and Planned Parenthood of Illinois, in addition to religious speakers.
African American community organizer Anthony Clark said white people must no longer put up with racist family, friends and colleagues, that now is the time to truly fight for justice. Clark and other speakers were inclusive of LGBT in their language of solidarity across differences, and many rainbow flags dotted the protest.
Mahdia Lynn, who founded the Masjid al-Rabia mosque as a “women-centered, LGBT-affirming, trans inclusive, and pluralist” mosque in Chicago, also addressed the crowd.