Vigil displays support for shooting ramage victims
—Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD Donna Parrish unfurls a LGBT pride flag during prior to a candlelight vigil to mourn the Orlando shootings and show support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
—Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD A vigil participant shields cups her hand to shield against gusty winds so others can light their candles.
—Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD Jeff Bohnhof addressed a crowd of nearly 50 people who gathered at Farmin Park for a candlight vigil on Monday.
—Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD United Church of Christ Pastor Bob Evans speaks at Monday’s candlelight vigil at Farmin Park.
—Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD John Dowling hangs a peace and pride flag at Farmin Park on Monday.
SANDPOINT — Parents of Gay and Lesbian Children and the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force held a candlelight vigil Monday to show their support for those who were directly or indirectly affected by the shooting rampage that claimed 50 lives in a Florida nightclub.
“What happened shouldn’t happen anywhere. We need to stand together,” said Jeff Bohnhof, who noted that a similar event could unfold anywhere.
Bohnhoff said he was moved by reports of mobile phone ringtones chiming incessantly as investigators gathered evidence in the club and anxious family members called to verify the safety of their loved ones. Bohnhoff was also moved by a post from a Muslim American who stood in line to donate blood even though he was fasting in observance of Ramadan while women in traditional garb handed out food and water to those who waited in line to donate.
“That’s what we’re here for. That’s why we stand,” Bohnhoff said.
Andy Kennaly, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint, offered a prayer during the vigil and pointed out that the struggle to square the concept of a just God in an unjust world has been questioned by theologians dating back 2,600 years to the prophet Habakkuk. He urged people not to give in to xenophobia or turn a blind eye when confronted with hatred or intolerance.
Kennaly said he appreciated reports that the location of the shootings was more than just a nightclub.
“It was a place of refuge because a lot of folks in the community there had been kicked out of churches and had people turn their backs on them,” said Kennaly.
United Church of Christ Pastor Bob Evans called on people to be open and fearless in their convictions and recounted the tale of a man who sought a distillation of the whole meaning of the Torah, which holds that people love their neighbors as their true selves.
“We are all neighbors. Let us learn to be neighbors,” Evan said.
Lynn Bridges, executive director of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, said the group exists to find ways to come together around crimes of terrorism and hatred and promote mutual respect and understanding despite people’s differences.
“As a community, we can no longer choose non-action. We must stand together and embrace our humanity,” said Bridges.
Bridges urged people to share their convictions in public in spite of fear of harassing comments from others and the need for civil discourse in such discussions.
“It is only through our acceptance of differences that we will find our common ground,” she said.