On a warm evening, especially for a night in February, on the front steps of Stratford High School over 30 people gathered – why? They were standing in solidarity and in hope, for healing, peace, and a stronger, safer community. On February 21st, Stratford C.A.R.E (Citizens Addressing Racial Equity) and Stratford Forward co-sponsored the Vigil for Peace and Community Conversation.
With electric candles in the hands of the attendees, the event opened with words from Reverend Pat Coller, who recently retired from Christ Episcopal Church in Stratford. She opened the Vigil for Peace with: “The current treatment of our refugee and immigrant neighbors and peaceful protestors compels us to come together to bear witness to truth, and affirm that all people are God’s beloved children … whether your God is Allah, or Yahweh, or Higher Power, or the universe, or Jesus. And we proclaim that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. And so we light our candles tonight, hoping to be symbols of peace, love, acceptance and truth.” Rev. Peter J. Adamski of St. James Church Stratford, Father Reggie Norman and Father Paul Kurmay both of St. Mark’s Church, all members of the Clergy Association of Stratford, took part in the service.
Stratford High School senior Grace Anne Miron-Dominguez read Maya Angelou’s poem, Human Family, which begins with the words I note the obvious differences in the human family. Attendees sang three songs in total, with the final song being “This Little Light of Mine”. It was written by Harry Dixon Loes as a children’s song in the 1920’s, and is often mistaken as “the Civil Rights” song. However, it wasn’t until gospel artist Fannie Lou Hamer adopted it that it became a gospel song,one that quickly morphed into the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s. After the song, what we heard next were the words “Go in Peace,” spoken by Rev. Coller, which was our cue to move inside for the Community Conversation.
The lively conversation was led by Ken Pugh, Executive Director of Stratford Volunteer Corps, who welcomed adults and kids alike to participate. The evening centered around how we can protect and safeguard the community we all love, especially our immigrant neighbors. According to multiple sources, ICE Officers arrested people the week prior in Bridgeport. With that in mind, Ken asked the question, “How do our neighbors feel when they go out into the community, to go grocery shopping, how do they feel?” He let the question linger, and urged us, in his pause, to consider the feelings, fears and challenges of our immigrant neighbors.
It was an evening of deep and thoughtful conversation, reflection, and the common committment that we can and will work together to embody a community that protects each other, promotes peace, and continues to be curious about ways we can better understand our human family. The meeting came to an end, and possible next steps for action were outlined. Here are a few: Attend neighborhood association meetings, connect with neighbors, join Stratford Mutual Aid, vote, and more!
I’d like to share a few words with you from the meeting by members of our community. I left out their names on purpose, however I do identify whether they are a child or an adult. Ken’s first question was how does this (ICE’s treatment of immigrants) make you feel? “Bad,” was the response of a 10-year-old girl. Other comments offered by adults: “History repeats itself. It reminds me of the Holocaust.” “A child is nothing without its family.” “I feel heartbroken. My dad brought us here, because we didn’t have food for our family in my country.” “It brought back trauma. I was born in the sixties.”
If you’d like to get involved and continue to take action for all in our community, please reach out to Ken Pugh at kennethpughsr@gmail.com. To register to attend the next C.A.R.E meeting on March 4th from 6:30pm-8:30pm on Zoom, please reach out to Mike Suntag at english956@aol.com
