What: Vigil to highlight ongoing protests against police brutality and systemic racism

When: Saturday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Court Square Gazebo (Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801)

Harrisonburg, Va.—Virginia Organizing, Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA), and others will hold a vigil on Saturday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. to stand in solidarity with U.S. cities protesting police brutality and systemic racism at the Court Square Gazebo. The vigil was the idea of local college students who wanted to stand in solidarity with suffering communities.

“This vigil is important to me because it shows solidarity with our sister cities that we stand with them against police brutality,” said Virginia Organizing Harrisonburg Chapter leader Stan Maclin. “Police departments need to be more about community engagement and protection than community enforcement.”

Jodie Geddes, a Harrisonburg resident helping to plan the vigil, said, “We hope this action will get the Harrisonburg community aware and active in terms of addressing systemic racism in solidarity with communities across the U.S.”

This peaceful protest will build connections and provide awareness for Harrisonburg residents who are seeking to respond to recent acts of police violence perpetrated predominantly on people of color.

To interview a spokesperson for this event, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.