Chicago paid tribute in an emotional vigil Sunday for the victims who died in the New Zealand mosque shooting—including the son of a Villa Park family.
People of various faiths gathered at the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park at 6 p.m. Sunday to leave messages and pray for those who died in Friday’s Christchurch senseless shooting.
The attack killed 50 worshippers and left dozens more wounded when a white supremacist opened fire and live-streamed the shootings—one of the victims, happened to be the son of a Foundation family, said to have been living in New Zealand for some time.
Organizers said they expected about 500 people to show up Sunday evening, but to their surprise, about 1200 individuals made their way to show their solidarity at Villa Park.
Earlier in the day Sunday, prayer rugs that served as symbols for the lives lost, were spread out in the Daley Plaza.
“The whole world is under attack, we must choose light over darkness and hope over hurt,” Rev. Jesse Jackson said.
Jackson and Senator Dick Durbin were among those who spoke at the event.
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“Let us dedicate ourselves to making sure that this nation, this state, this city, those who have gathered here are going to lead the cause of tolerance in America,” Durbin said.
