Interfaith leaders hold prayer vigil for Orlando victims
A coalition of Atlanta interfaith leaders will hold a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Wednesday for the victims of the Orlando club shooting and those killed in a massacre at a black church in Charleston a year ago.
At least 50 people died and more than 50 were injured after a gunman opened fire early Sunday morning at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. Nine members of Emanuel AME Church were killed by a gunman as they attended a prayer meeting.
The vigil will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave.
The two attacks are ” at root, about the same thing: a tragic failure to see and honor the humanity of those who are different,” the Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, said in a statement. “We are one. We reject the fallacious logic of racism. And, those of us who have been passionate and outspoken in our resistance to racial bigotry must do the same for Islamophobia and other forms of religious bigotry. We must all stand together against homophobia recognizing that our LGBTQ sisters and brothers are us and among us.”
Speakers include Warnock, the Rev. Jen Lyon, pastor of Congregational Leadership at Park Avenue Baptist Church; the Rev. James Lamkin, senior pastor of Northside Drive Baptist Church; and Rabbi Peter Berg, senior rabbi at The Temple.
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About the Author
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
