More than 100 students and community members lit candles, held hands and prayed last night in memory of two black men recently murdered and found in Pennsylvania.
The students, many of whom spent the past week living in the HUB-Robeson Center while black student leaders and administrators negotiated plans for improving diversity at Penn State, also used yesterday's candlelight vigil as a celebration of a week's worth of "victories against racism" at the university.
"At the end of a storm comes a rainbow, and we just thank you for this rainbow, Lord," said Brian Favors, an employee for Penn State's Center for Service Leadership, as he opened the vigil in prayer.
Another student reiterated to Favors that "the village," as the students living in the HUB call themselves, was the good that came out of the pain.
"The manifestation of the village is proof that those men did not die in vain," she said.
Within the past week, the bodies of two black men were found murdered. Police say they have found no connection between the bodies - one which was found in Bradford County and the other near Snow Shoe - and a death threat made to Black Caucus President Lakeisha Wolf April 20. A letter addressed to Wolf said a murdered black man's body could be found in the woods near the Mount Nittany summit. Police announced Monday that another black student leader has also received threats within the past week.
For many of the villagers, the vigil was a night of remembrances, goodbyes and a celebration of new friends and understandings that developed during the sit-in.
"I was ignorant before . . . you guys have changed a person," one villager told the crowd.
The vigil was originally scheduled to begin at 10:15 p.m. on the steps of Old Main, but the group decided to move the event to the HUB lawn to be "closer to home." A sense of safety and community has marked the village since students set up camp last Tuesday.
"All the hate that has happened has brought so much beauty," villager Jennifer Storm said of the community and acceptance the village has fostered.
Penn State graduate Michael Pesavento played the bagpipes as he led a long line of students from the HUB to the lawn. Students stood quietly, lighting one anothers' candles and awaiting the night's speakers. A State College resident gave her "voice from the community" and was followed by several "voices from the village," as students who live in the HUB shared their experiences. Following the speakers, organizers opened up the megaphone to audience members to share their thoughts, prayers and memories.
The vigil, which lasted about an hour and a half, was full of emotion for many. One woman asked the crowd not to forget the lives lost when celebrating the week's accomplishments.
"I know that we feel victorious, but we have to remember this man who died . . . because it is important to remember that feeling again," she said as tears ran down her face and other villagers offered her hugs and support.
The vigil was organized by a coalition of different groups and "concerned students from the village," Justin Leto, one of the organizers, said, adding that the village has about 40 student groups supporting it so far and the group is working on making a complete list of its backers.
"You see a couple hundred students here, but we are really a few thousand strong," Leto said.
Student leaders opened and closed the vigil in prayer, and religion was a reoccurring theme throughout the night as villagers thanked God for his guidance, support and wisdom throughout the past week. Several students, including former Black Caucus President Joseph Dawkins, said the village and the supportive community it fostered were part of God's plan.
"I believe the kingdom of God looks like this," Dawkins said.
