Vigil For Charlottesville To Be Held In Pottstown Thursday

POTTSTOWN, PA — As outrage and grief sweeps across the nation in the wake of the Charlottesville protests over the weekend, so too have local vigils, with residents the opportunity to show solidarity. One such vigil, organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), will be held in Pottstown this Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. in front of Borough Hall, on 100 E. High Street.

Heather Heyer, 32, was killed in Charlottesville on Saturday when a car was driven into a crowd of demonstrators counter-the protesting white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. In addition to the death, 35 people were injured in the crash and other incidents throughout the day. A wide variety of far-right groups had gathered in the city to protest the removal of the Confederate Robert E. Lee statue from a public park.

The NAACP is joined by the Tri-County Area Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in hosting the Pottstown vigil.

"Both organizations are asking area residents to come together in the theme of unity in the wake of last weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Va., putting aside differences to promote peace and community and proving that a diverse community such as Pottstown is stronger when we pull together. Those attending are welcome to bring a poem or words of inspiration to share, and are asked to bring no political signs, only displays of unity," organizers said in a statement announcing the event.

It's not the first "Stand With Charlottesville" event in the area. On Sunday night, hundreds gathered in Gorgas Park in Roxborough to denounce the violence.

The YWCA also hosts a Race Against Racism 5k each April. The next race will occur April 28, 2018, in Pottstown's Riverfront Park.

Patch file photo