Rhode Island holds vigil following violence

The University of Rhode Island held a vigil last week following violent occurrences that have taken place recently.

During the vigil and rally, University Associate Vice President for Community Equity and Diversity Naomi Thompson spoke, offering gratitude to those who attended.

“Every one of you here on campus has a life that is valued, that is cherished, not one any more than the other,” Thompson said.

She also discussed two cases, one in Minnesota and the other in Louisiana, that resulted in the death of two black men at hands of local police officers. She also spoke about the killing of five police officers in Dallas. A major theme of her speech was that people should be treating each other with respect and to think about how attendees should be aware of how they treat others.

“Don’t just be angry, and I have run the gamut of emotions from sadness anger and fear,” Thompson said. “Each one of you has the moral obligation to not just go to a vigil, light a candle, stand with a sign, but when you leave here, you must ask yourself, How are you going treat others? How are you going to treat people who upset you?”

The university also held a vigil in memory of those who were killed in Orlando.