Small Naperville vigil honors Las Vegas shooting victims, calls for change
It's too late to save the 59 people who were killed in the Las Vegas shooting, but it's never too late - or too early - to take action to save others, activists said Tuesday at a vigil in Naperville.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Naperville and Moms Building Bridges hosted the gathering, which drew about 50 people along the Riverwalk. The event remembered those who died or were hurt in Sunday night's shooting and call for reforms to prevent further gun violence.
"We are all in shock and mourning," said Holly Blastic with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Naperville, who organized the event. "It's unsettling to all of us, so I think it's really important to come together."
Three faith leaders offered prayers, political officials gave brief remarks and one high school student spoke during the half-hour vigil. The prayers were for peace and justice, freedom from violence and an end to evil.
"Allow us to see truth as truth" said Rizwan Ali, imam of the Islamic Center of Naperville, "and give us the ability to follow it."
States away from Nevada, where the shooting occurred, Naperville activists said they were moved by the loss of life to want changes to gun laws.
"It's too easy for dangerous people to get guns," Blastic said.
Vigil leaders read the names of several of the shooting victims and displayed portraits of seven of them along a bench under a pavilion.
Mothers who attended said it's time to try something more than sitting at home, sending thoughts and prayers to victims. Naperville resident Shannan Younger said it was "a little out of my comfort zone" to attend the vigil, but an important step nonetheless.
"This sets a good example for our kids. When you feel strongly about something, you take action," Younger said. "This feels like a good, positive way to respond and honor those who were lost."
Vigil leaders encouraged attendees to contact legislators in favor of stricter gun-related legislation and to take time, together, to process what has occurred.
"Please reach inside yourselves. Find what you need to find the peace of heart to get through these times," said the Rev. Tom Capo of DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church. "You can't do that alone."