In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Adhering to that wisdom, approximately 50 Highland Park residents participated in a vigil at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Highland Park Reformed Church on South Second Avenue to light a proverbial candle against racial injustice.
The vigil, organized by local activist Ashton Burrell, was prompted by recent events in Ferguson, Mo., where a grand jury failed to indict police Officer Darren Wilson in the Aug. 9, 2014 death of Michael Brown. The vigil was peaceful in nature, and was meant “to express outrage and hope,” – hope for improved relationships and communication between police and the residents of the community, according to a statement from Mr. Burrell.
The event followed other vigils nationwide, including one nearby at 7 p.m. at Throop Avenue and Delavan Street, New Brunswick.