Candlelight vigil held by VOCAL for victims of gun violence
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – Hundreds gathered to honor victims of gun violence in Montgomery Sunday.
The event was hosted by the non-profit organization, VOCAL, which brought families and friends together in remembrance of their loved ones.
The event featured multiple speakers from the organization, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Pete Dorough, who lost his son to gun violence in 2009.
At the end, there was a candlelight vigil to honor lost loved ones. During this time, everyone watched a slideshow of victims who were taken by gun violence.
“It’s important to know that you are not alone. When something happens to you like this, you can feel isolated and not know which way to turn, so you take it one moment at a time. You hear people say ‘take one step at a time,’ it isn’t one step at a time, it’s one moment at a time, and eventually, those moments get a little bit wider and a little bit longer, where you’re able to handle what you’ve experienced. Not that you get over it, you do not, but you learn how to live, and you can have a productive and happy life, while still holding that loved one in your heart. Never forget them,” said President of VOCAL, Sonya Shehane-Bradford.
The vigil was held in honor of Alabama Crime Victims’ Rights Month.
