Mourning with Overland Park, Kansas
Submitted by alicia on April 18, 2014 - 6:29pm
This story from our public television partner KCPT covers the interfaith vigil on April 17 in response to the Overland Park killings in Kansas City. Check here for more video updates.
by Patrice O'Neill, Executive Producer of Not In Our Town
Three people were shot to death on Sunday, April 13 by a known white supremacist who targeted the Jewish Community Center and a Jewish Retirement home in Overland Park, KS, just outside Kansas City, MO. Federal and local law enforcement officers have officially called the attack a hate crime.
Our hearts go out to the families of Reat Griffin Underwood, Dr. William Lewis Corporon, Terri LaManno and to members of the Jewish community in the Kansas City area and across the country.
Not In Our Town will be covering community response in the Kansas City area with Kansas City Public Television (KCPT).
Please join us in sending a message of support to the people of Overland Park! Change your Facebook profile to this image:
An editorial in the Kansas City Star offers clear steps on how to prevent hate crimes from happening, and highlights the importance of "turning poison into medicine."
Friday night [04/18], a youth organized candelight vigil was held in Overland Park to commemorate the three victims. Hundreds of community members walked through the town with lit candles, following a special Shabbat service at the Jewish Community Center where two of the attacks took place.
Community members in Overland Park, KS came together Thursday to remember the three victims, KCUR.org reported. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke before the crowd: "Every alleged hate crime, no matter who the intended target, is an affront to who we are, both as a country and as a people."
Support for Overland Park, Kansas
Permalink Submitted by Becki Cohn-Vargas (not verified) on April 16, 2014 - 6:13pm
The outpouring of support from around the world shows that whether it is Methodists and a Catholic killed at a Jewish Community Center, Sikhs shot in their Temple, or young children shot in Newtown, there is so much more love in this world than hate. But, we must redouble our efforts to build bridges of understanding and stop these horrors from happening.
No more anti-Semitism
Permalink Submitted by Hannah Miller (not verified) on April 17, 2014 - 3:45pm
So many communities manage to create beauty from violence - despite all pessimism. I know that the people of Kansas City can reach out to understand each other better after this tragedy, and I know that people all across the country can learn from them.