Churches in Austin gather virtually to show public solidarity with black community

AUSTIN, Texas - The Christian Community Development Association hosted a vigil Wednesday night to pray over what’s been happening recently. 

Multiple churches gathered virtually to show their public solidarity with the black community. Arm in arm, about 20 local church members and leaders from various places marched together. 

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They circled the block for about 15 minutes before making their way back to Christ Church. It was silent for the most part, as everyone took in the warm-up to their program for solidarity. 

"While it was specific law enforcement behind those tragic deaths we all are collectively a part of that. As a country and as a part of this system and we want to lament that as Christians," Hope Community Church lead pastor Aaron Reyes said. "Because historically the American church has the tendency to be silent on issues of justice. And we don’t want to do that we’re tired of playing the back seat and taking our cues from society and we’re grateful for activists and what they’re doing but we need to be active ourselves."

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The vigil contained three elements: lament, repentance, and petitions of justice. There were photos of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Michael Ramos with candles lit beside them. 

More than a hundred people RSVP’d to virtually watch on Facebook. Music played softly in the background. 

Pastor Reyes said even if you’re at home on the couch, now is the time to pray out loud. 

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"Ultimately people are hurting, you know that, people are hurting, people are confused, people are wondering what to do," Reyes said. "Is there a voice, is there a prophetic voice to this and that’s what we want to offer to share to our communities to our minorities, black, brown communities in Austin area that we see you and want to stand in solidarity with you."

This event was the first of its kind for the organization but CCDA says they hope these continue to shine a light on what’s most important in our communities.