Large crowd attends peaceful Berea for Justice candlelight vigil (photos) - cleveland.com

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BEREA, Ohio -- Whether it was the hundreds of people of all ages, races and creeds gathered together at Coe Lake, or the speeches in support of Black Lives Matter and racial equality, it was hard not to be inspired by Friday’s (June 26) Berea for Justice candlelight vigil.

There was an unobtrusive police presence throughout the park and surrounding area, including a drone overhead.

Bailey Wolf, one of several event organizers and member of Be the Change: Berea, spoke to cleveland.com prior to the start of the program.

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Berea Candlelight Vigil at Coe Lake June 26 2020

“Even when people are done reading about tonight and seeing it on Facebook, I want them to realize they are real human lives,” Wolf said. “They are Black people who are hurting, even when it’s not a hashtag.”

The night was about listening, but also mourning all Black lives lost to senseless violence and police brutality, she stressed.

"We cannot go down, Berea, on the wrong side of history," Wolf said from the podium. "This is a movement, not a moment."

Several other speakers provided thoughtful insights.

“As the mother of Black men, I am sad, hurt and, at times, angry that … racial inequality, police brutality and injustice are still happening,” said longtime Berea resident Desira Sallee.

“I am not anti-police; I am anti-police brutality,” Sallee said. “At any moment, my sons can fit the description. This is a real fear for Black households everywhere, whether you choose to believe it or not.”

Marketing and entertainment professional Geoffrey Short emphasized that all people are racist to some degree, because “subtle” characteristics exist in everyone.

"By not realizing and acknowledging our own racism, we become our own worst enemy," Short said. "We need all of our collective awareness and strength to fight this battle. By lifting someone else up, it makes you stronger."

Johnny Bollin, Berea-Midpark High School assistant principal, praised the youth and “their willingness to accept each other, to love each other.”

"We as adults have made this a very tough place to live in," Bollin said. "Now is our opportunity to reverse the destruction we've created and get this world moving in the right direction."

“All of us have to look in the mirror day by day and understand when attitudes we would decry in others have crept into our own psyche,” added the Rev. C.J. Harkness, likening people to a choir.

“If we get the notes right, we can resolve those (issues) and sing in harmony.”

Attendees ended the evening by singing "We Shall Overcome" and sharing their candle flames.

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