In the wake of the violence in Virginia, leaders in St. Petersburg came together Friday night at Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church for a town hall meeting titled "From Charlottesville to St. Petersburg." It was a conversation about race.

  • Common conclusion: "It can happen anywhere"
  • Meeting organized by NAACP St. Pete President Maria Scruggs
  • Congressman Charlie Crist, Mayor Rick Kriseman in attendance

The conversation started with leaders being asked if they think something like what happened in Charlottesville could happen in St. Petersburg. The common thread with all of their answers was that it can happen anywhere.

Congressman Charlie Crist attended the event, and he said this talk about race is important right now.

“What happened last weekend in Charlottesville is deplorable, it's un-containable, it's just heartbreaking. So I think it's always good to have an honest discussion,” Crist said.

That’s why NAACP President Maria Scruggs says she organized the meeting. She said the community and leaders need to be proactive.

“What we typically find ourselves doing is waiting until something happens -- we react, we have a march, we have a vigil and then we go back to business as usual," Scruggs said. "So this is really about beginning an honest dialogue, taking the gloves off."

Mayor Rick Kriseman agreed and added it’s a conversation that can’t be avoided right now.

”We need to continue having dialogue over the issue of racism and discrimination. The minute we stop talking about it is the minute it continues to rear its ugly head,” he said.

Pinellas County School Board member Joanne Lentinl offered a prospective from an educator, saying this conversation is vital to our country, especially children.

“Our country seems to be in a terrible shift, and I think education has a big part in creating a more ... a better environment for our children, because that's where it really starts,” she said.

Some who attended the meeting were passionate sharing their experiences and how they think leaders can help.

Scruggs said the NAACP is hoping to keep this discussion going. They also hope this conversation will help start a dialogue in workplaces, government agencies and communities across the county and across the country.