MOUNT GREENWOOD — St. Christina Catholic Parish in Mount Greenwood will host an interfaith prayer vigil from 6-7 p.m. Saturday.
The vigil at 3342 W. 111th St. is meant to "be a time for all of us to come together and pray for peace amongst ALL communities within Chicago and across the nation, not just within Mount Greenwood," according to organizers.
Those behind the event are asking attendees to bring a candle with them. Everyone will have an opportunity to light the candles from the Easter candle in the church, "as a sign of unity and faith that there may be peace."
The vigil comes a week after a 25-year-old black man was shot and killed Saturday by off-duty police in Mount Greenwood. Black Lives Matter activists went to console family of the late Joshua Beal later that day and were met by people holding a "Blue Lives Matter" flag and yelling at them to get out of their neighborhood.
Protests followed on Sunday where black activists said they encountered '60s-style racism as they clashed with demonstrators supporting police. Another protest was held Tuesday night, as more police supporters and activists had a heated exchange.
Black Lives Matter Youth canceled another protest planned for Friday that was to begin Downtown and conclude with a gathering at Marist High School in Mount Greenwood. Organizers pointed to threats and safety concerns as reasons for cancelling the event.
Anyone with questions about the vigil is encouraged to call St. Christina Parish at 773-779-7181.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
