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Locals Organize For Vigil In Response To Ferguson

Rachel Otwell/WUIS

 
Dozens of people gathered last night at the Union Baptist Church on the east side of Springfield for a prayer vigil. It was held in response to recent news out of Ferguson, Missouri.  

 

Religious leaders and activists attended as well as police officers and the mayor. Speakers urged the continuance of dialogue on how to better race relations in the city. Reggie Dale has started a non-profit anti-violence group - he was empathetic while addressing the situation in Ferguson. “Officer Wilson - his family, they'll never be the same … It's going to always be pain on both sides, for the Brown family and the Wilson family."

Those who attended also participated in group discussions about how to quote: “build a bridge of respect between authorities and minorities.” 
 

Listen to an interview with Mayor Mike Houston and Springfield NAACP President Teresa Haley - they talk about body cameras for police officers:

HOUSTON-NAACP-QA.mp3
Otwell interviews Houston & Haley

Rachel Otwell of the Illinois Times is a former NPR Illinois reporter.
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