Santa Cruz church calls for peace between police and communities of color
There was record attendance at Garfield Park Community Church Sunday. People of all beliefs were in attendance to grieve, support and have tough conversations.
“Black lives matter because all lives should,” shouted the congregation.
“I’ve been profiled myself,” said Santa Cruz resident William Seals. “My uncle was killed by the police department.”
More than 200 people gathered at the Santa Cruz church in the wake of the killings of two black men and five police officers this week.
“I think conversations like this need to happen, so we can figure out what to do,” said Garfield Park Community Church pastor Christopher Drury.
At the Supporting Black Lives Matter Peace Vigil, people expressed equal hurt for the Dallas police officers and the two men who were killed in separate run-ins with police.
“I’m torn between both sides and my heart goes out to both sides,” said church member Monique Hammond.
“Shooting with no method to his madness except to kill white cops isn’t constructive at all,” said Santa Cruz NAACP president Simba Kenyatta.
As they lit candles and sang songs, some said they feel the tragic murders highlight much bigger issues and injustices in the U.S.
“The U.S. was founded on racism and it’s been a pervasive aspect of our nation since the beginning,” said vigil attendee and anthropology professor Dennis Etler. “Particularly those in the majority don’t want to recognize that.”
But they said hate and violence is not the answer.
“The only weapon against hate is mercy, compassion and love,” said Drury.
“Cops need to be retrained,” said Seals. “They need to be retrained in a different way, a way of conflict resolution.”
“It’s time to take a look at the mental health issues,” said Hammond.
“It takes all of us to do this or it won’t get done,” said Kenyatta. “This is not a Black problem, it’s a United States of American problem.”
Pastor Drury said the church will have more discussions about creating unity in the near future.
