MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com)- Religious leaders of differing faiths came together hand in hand, praying for peace.
The Memphis Interfaith of Coalition for Action and Hope, or MICAH, hosted the prayer vigil for lamentation Sunday at the Civic Center Plaza at 2:00 p.m.
It was in response to the recent death of Brandon Webber, who was shot and killed after U.S. Marshals say he repeatedly rammed a stolen car into patrol vehicles and pulled out a weapon.
“The question is how do we prevent other Brandon’s from getting to the place where they’re walking away from scholarships,“ said Dr. Stacy L. Spencer, the president of MICAH.
MICAH shared that the vigil’s purpose was to promote greater dialogue between the police and communities.
One Central High School teacher shared a letter from Webber’s classmate.
“Even though others didn’t agree with his lifestyle and if he was the suspect of this crime that took place, the U.S Marshals could have went about it another way,“ said Mary McIntosh, Brandon Webber’s teacher. “There are too many black lives being taken away.“
Another teacher shared the direct words of Webber himself written for a class project.
“The point is to widen your universe of obligation, so you’d be able to look out for everybody not just the select group of people,“ said Sarah Stuart, a staff member for the class Facing History and Ourselves. “Because everybody goes through things.“
Webber’s death triggered a violent backlash, which a classmate says wasn’t surprising.
“I knew the outrage was going to let itself out in an unhealthy way,“ said Ronald Davis, who graduated from Central High School. “I just didn’t want our anger and protest would turn into another reason for us to be overly enforced.“
MICAH says they hope to meet with MPD Director Mike Rallings to have a conversation on relationships between the police and the community.
He was invited to Sunday’s vigil but declined to attend according to organizers.