Vigil for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor in Old Town on Thursday

Published June 1, 2020 at 2:00PM

As protests continue nationwide for victims of racial violence, Alexandria community organizers are planning to conduct a peaceful vigil in honor of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor on Thursday.

The vigil is scheduled to be held at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) from 7-8:30 p.m.

The recent incidents prompted open letters and messages from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne and Police Chief Mike Brown.

Participants are scheduled to gather in the recreation center parking lot and walk to the front of the building where there will be a moment of silence, prayers and statements from community leaders.

The vigil is being organized Boyd Walker and Marianne Anderson.

“Expressing anger through violence is not welcome here,” notes the event announcement. “Anger will have to channeled into a prayer or meditation and constructive action to help others.”

Staff photo by James Cullum

About the Author

James Cullum

Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.