Tampa hosted a prayer vigil Aug. 16 to remember the victims of violence the weekend prior in Charlottesville.

  • Event sponsored by Allen Temple AME Church
  • People from different religions, racial backgrounds spoke at service
  • Service included candle-lighting, moment of silence

Rev. Glenn B. Dames, Jr. called the Allen Temple AME Church-sponsored gathering a way to bring the faith-based community together in a show of unity and support. The vigil included a moment of silence and a candle lighting ceremony.

Dames pointed out recent divisive moments for Hillsborough County, including the Confederate statue controversy in downtown Tampa. While he sees the Tampa area as a diverse "melting pot," Dames said he wants it to stay that way, despite the tension caused when such diverse groups with vastly different opinions clash.

"I do think we have tolerance, but I think some of the things that we're seeing in our nation are concerning because it's like a powder keg," he said.

Photo: Laurie Davison, staff

People attending the vigil said the weekend's events left them feeling sad and angry.

"I thought we had gotten through this in the 1950's and 1960's and we had progressed much farther than we have," said Carol Harlow.

People from different religions and racial backgrounds spoke during the service. The shared message was one of recognizing and respecting each other's differences while celebrating things that make everyone the same.

"Because in the end, the thing we all have in common is that we're human beings," said Tena Nock-Hope. "All the things that happen in between, life and death, is pretty much a shared experience regardless of who you love, what you look like and what your gender is."