Concerned citizens in the Nocatee area gathered at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, on the football fields in Davis Park for a candlelight vigil to mourn the recent loss of life in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. This was a nonpartisan event and everyone in the area was welcome to attend.
Organizers encouraged all attendees to wear something orange in support of National Gun Violence Prevention. Vigil candles and orange ribbons were provided on site.
There was a moment of silence (to honor those who have died in these most recent shootings) and guest speakers, including Logan Farrelly, clinical director of the Youth Crisis Center (youthcrisiscenter.org) in Jacksonville, to speak about mental health programs offered in St. Johns County schools. There were also helpful tips on how to talk about events like these to your children and cope with traumatic events that may trigger or cause anxiety in parents.
“We’re holding this vigil to come together as a community to mourn those lost to such senseless acts of violence,” said vigil co-coordinator Aaron Berger, a resident of Nocatee’s Coastal Oaks neighborhood. “The victims and families deserve our acknowledgement, attention and respect. Many are saddened as well as frustrated, and we hope the knowledge learned and sense of community can be a good start to offer a morsel of comfort and begin future change. We also want to send a message to all our lawmakers that enough is enough.”
