Photos by Tevin Stinson
More than 100 people gathered outside the Public Safety Center in Winston-Salem on Sunday, July 17 for a
prayer vigil designed to honor law enforcement officials.
More than 100 people
gather to pray for
law enforcement
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
Last Sunday, just a few hours after three law enforce
ment officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were gunned
downed by a man identified as Gavin Long, more than
100 people gathered outside the Public Safety Center in
Winston-Salem to pray for police.
According to reports, on his 29th birthday, Long, a for
mer Marine who spent time in Iraq, went on a shooting
rampage that left two police officers and a sheriff's deputy
dead. Following the ambush on officers, Long was killed
in a gun battle with other officers.
During the vigil held next to the police memorial on
Cherry Street, citizens dressed in different shades of blue
held signs that read, "Blue Lives Matter," "Protect Our
Officers," and "Police Lives Matter."
As she stood before the sea of blue, vigil organizer
Gloria Corn led a prayer that gained a rousing applause
from the crowd. Corn noted, although the vigil was
planned months before the shootings of police in Baton
Rouge and Dallas, now more than ever law enforcement
needs the support of the community.
"Every day these officers risk their lives to ensure our
safety," she continued. "They are willing to risk their lives
to protect ours, and for someone to try to kill them is just
horrible."
Corm told participants that holding vigils in support of
police officers will prevent attacks from happening in the
future. She said although it will take some time to fix the
relationship between the community and police, she feels
confident that change will come.
"I know there is a way we can fix it without using vio
lence," she said. "Morefhate does not bring about positive
change."
People praying outside
the Public Safety Center.
A participant in the prayer vigil holds a sign that
reads "Blue Lives Matter" outside the Public Safety
Center in Winston-Salem on Sunday, July 17. More
than 100 people gathered for the vigil designed to
honor fallen police officers.
While participants took turns praying for officer? out
loud, city resident Samuel Dixon took a moment to talk
about the relationship between police officers and the
black community. Dixon, who is black, said, "It's time
that the community starts to learn how to interact with law
enforcement.
"It breaks my heart to see what is going on. I tell black
men all the time, if you don't like police officers, change
it by becoming one," Dixon said.
"... If the black community wants to take issue with
something, take issue with the crime going on in our com
munity every day."
Organizers of the vigil noted that more vigils will be
held in support of officers in the coming months. After the
vigil, Corn said it is important that officers understand
they have the support of the community at all times and
not just during tragedies.
It's more than
just a birthday.
It's a day to mark all the days
before it, and all the days to come.
That's what makes it happy.
Start planning the perfect birthday celebration at publlx.com/blrthdays
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