Solidarity vigil held at Ashland University

Solidarity vigil held at Ashland University
Solidarity vigil held at Ashland University | Courtesy of Shutterstock
Ashland University announced the "Standing Together: One Community for All" candlelight vigil last week.

The event symbolized the Ashland community's commitment to care for and support all of its members with dignity and civility.

“This is a difficult time for many of our students, friends and colleagues, and we hope to show that we are an inclusive, welcoming, caring community that supports all people,” Dr. Craig Hovey, executive director at the Center for Nonviolence, said.

The event provided candles and hot chocolate to all attendees. The vigil was held at the flagpole behind Founders Hall. All were welcomed to come and quietly stand together in solidarity.

“We asked ourselves what we can do particularly by way of showing support for and solidarity with our neighbors, friends, classmates and colleagues who are feeling afraid or silenced right now,” Hovey said. “We thought that a nonpartisan demonstration of our commitment to being a community of care, support, dignity and civility would be very good. We want to show that, regardless of who you voted for, we are still one community, both campus and town, and we value the equality, toleration and inclusion of all people.”