Abington Holds Vigil And 'Rally For Peace' After Charlottesville

ABINGTON, PA — In the wake of last weekend's events in Charlottesville, Virginia, hundreds of members of the Abington community gathered on Wednesday night as part of a community vigil and "Rally for Peace" in Crestmont Park.

The roughly two-hour long event featured several speeches from a podium that was set up near the skating rink. There was no violence to the rally, and many simply sat or stood holding candles in solidarity with Charlottesville.

Several of the speakers were from minority communities targeted by the white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups which marched in Virginia Saturday.

Attendees at the event called it a "positive" and friendly experience.

"It was a wonderfully healing and hopeful evening," said Alison Dougherty Berkowitz, one of the rally's participants. "A reminder that it is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

The Abington Police Department was also on hand, and reported no problems at the event. "What a wonderful night, The Abington Rally for Peace! Thanks for including us! APD loves the Abington Community!" the department said on Facebook Wednesday night.

Rallies and protests are set in nearby Phoenixville and Pottstown, and similar vigils have been held or are scheduled across the region, including in West Chester and Lansdale.

Image via Abington Police Department