“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that “ – Martin Luther King, Jr
March 3,3017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, Last week’s hate crime killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and shooting of Alok Madasani, and Ian Grillot, has shaken everyone. This in addition to the over hundred bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers, desecration of hundreds of headstones at Jewish cemeteries, and hate crimes against Black, LGBTQI, Muslim, Immigrants, and various groups of all backgrounds has left a lot of communities in anger, pain and seeking answers.
To stand up against hate, and unite in a demonstration of solidarity, strength, and community, residents of Glen Rock and neighboring towns invite everyone to a candlelight vigil for peace and unity at Boro Hall in Glen Rock, NJ.
This is a non-partisan event to showcase the strength of our community and that we are all bound to each other by our humanity.
Mr. Gurbir S. Grewal, Bergen County Prosecutor will discuss hate crimes in Bergen County, and their investigation by the BC Prosecutor’s office. Faith leaders will lead a conversation on peace, unity and creating safe spaces for everyone. Community leaders from various faiths, and organizations will be available for dialogue after the Program.
Program:
• Welcome Message by Sanjiv Ohri, Member of Religious Communities of Glen Rock and Glen Rock Indian Community
• The Star-Spangled Banner – National Anthem
• Brief Message from Bruce Packer, Mayor of Glen Rock
• Speech by Gurbir S. Grewal, Bergen County Prosecutor
• Remarks by Father Mark Collins
• Remarks and Prayer by Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg
• Song of Peace – Let There Be Peace on Earth
When:
Saturday, March 4th, 7:00pm
Where:
Please meet us near the steps of the Borough Hall (1 Harding Plaza) in Glen Rock, NJ
Who Can Attend:
Anyone and everyone. This rally is open to everyone in all towns and bring your family.
Please invite everyone you know, and register on the EventBrite or Facebook Event, so that we can get an accurate head count.
This is a peaceful, non-partisan and non-denominational gathering.
Please dress warmly in layers
Lyrics to the National Anthem
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Lyrics to Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.
Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be!
With Earth as our Mother, we are family.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now.
With every breath I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Please register through Eventbrite under “Tickets” so that there is an accurate head count