CHICAGO — A Facebook event is calling for Northwest Siders to gather in Portage Park, 4200 N. Long Ave., to "speak out against racism, white supremacy and hate" in the wake of last weekend's violent white supremacist gathering in Charlottsville, Va.
The idea sprang up when Portage Park resident Teresa Albano posted on Facebook that she'd sit in the park with a candle to memorialize Heather Heyer, the counter protester who was killed when a man hit her with his car in Charlottsville on Saturday.
When friends offered to join Albano, someone suggested she turn it into a Facebook event, she said.
"I just decided that I was so horrified at what was going on in Charlottesville, I figured there'd be others who shared both my horror and my outrage," Albano said. "I think something very ugly is happening in this country, but at the same time there are so many people standing up and building community to counter the racism."
The vigil is set to begin at 7 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring signs, candles and sidewalk chalk.
After a few introductory remarks, Albano will lead demonstrators on a walk around the park, she said.
By 1 p.m. Wednesday, more than 170 people had confirmed their attendance.
