By Isabell Macrina
In remembrance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the people of Walpole gathered on the night of the 19th despite the 27-degree weather to host a vigil to remember him and the hard work he put into the Civil Rights Movement. Led by the local church leaders, community members gathered around the C.S. Bird Fountain for a candlelit vigil and a night of reflection.
This was the ninth year they have hosted a vigil on MLK day. People huddled together while the organizers lit candles in jars to pass around, or electric ones for people who didn’t want to risk dropping it. Once everyone had a candle, the vigil began.
Local community member Ava started the night with a moment of prayer for the country, so steeped in turmoil and discourse now. The group welcomed anyone of any faith or lack of to join in and treated it as a chance to center oneself.
Adrienne, another local, led everyone in a group song. While the songs were unfamiliar to me, the group joined in and voices filled a quiet night with some hope. A few community members stood up to give readings, about peace, acceptance, dreams, and the troubles that brought everyone to this moment today. They also read a letter to Congress from the Civil Rights Movement, pleading for change.
Carla, another community member who moved up from Alabama a few years ago, spoke to the gathering about how moving up here with her husband was a big change, but she found a community in Walpole. In times like this, community is one of the most important things to have. With the world changing and politics making it scarier every day, surrounding ourselves with good people can make all the difference. She also has a powerful singing voice, and brought the night in with “A Change Is Coming.”
Reverend Kristen Mills gave everyone one last prayer, or a moment of centering, reminding everyone that as long as good people like this exist, the world can heal again. And thanks to an inspirational speech from Carla about how churches and places should be united, locking arms together in times of crisis, everyone took the time to lock arms and remind ourselves that we are here.
