Lexington vigil encourages unity after Virginia tragedy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Thousands of people gathered at the courthouse plaza Monday in downtown Lexington, standing in solidarity with those who lost their lives in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend.

Several state and local leaders spoke at the vigil, all of them calling for unity.

People in Lexington are working towards a goal of togetherness after violence from racial tension in Virginia.

“Bigotry and prejudice and discrimination anywhere is a threat to liberty and justice and freedom everywhere,” said Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.

That justice and freedom that Mayor Gray is talking about is what people want for everyone, saying all lives matter.

They want to see change happen. That’s why they are fighting against white supremacy. They are hoping for a world where all places are safe spaces for all people.

“White supremacists think they will silence us, and I’m here to say they will not silence me,” said Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Grimes went on to say that the first step to reaching their goal is to vote people who share that goal into office in 2018.

“They brought torches in Charlottesville, we bring registration cards,” said Grimes. “That’s what democracy is all about.”

Until election time, speakers urged people to spread their message.

People also congratulated Mayor Gray at the vigil for his decision to move the Confederate statues from downtown Lexington. They say it is the perfect beginning to creating those safe spaces they want for everyone.

Several people at the vigil said they plan to be at the Urban County Council work session Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in the council chambers of the Government Center.   Mayor Gray is expected to make his proposal the the council then to move the statues to Veterans Park.  That proposal will ultimately need the approval of the Kentucky Military Heritage Commission before going into effect.