Charlottesville Remembers and Reclaims

Charlottesville walking vigil sparking change together

By: Filip Timotija | Aug 13, 2022 | Original Publication: The Daily Progress

"On Friday, Aug. 12, Charlottesville residents gathered at the First Baptist Church on West Main Street for a one-mile “Walking Vigil of Remembrance” to visit locations where, five years ago, protestors stood against the hatred of white supremacists. At each location, local leaders offered prayers, songs and words of history to the activists, organizers and survivors of the deadly rally.
One of the event organizers and the founder of Beloved Community Cville, Elizabeth Shillue, hoped that the vigil will present a powerful affirmation to together create and change for the better.

“It eases something in one’s heart and gives one hope to know that we can move past and we can recommit to creating the beloved community within Charlottesville,” Shillue said.

Shillue said the long-term impact of the vigil, which is to be held annually, is to maintain consciousness about the horrible attack in people’s minds because “it’s easy to forget. And it's important that we never forget.”