AURORA | Thousands gathered on the lawn of the Aurora Municipal Center on July 22 at a prayer vigil for the victims of the theater shootings that left 12 people dead and more than 50 wounded.
Religious leaders and lawmakers spoke to a crowd that included victims and victims’ families, many of whom wore bright shirts and ribbons, and carried brightly colored balloons. The speakers refused to say the alleged shooter’s name as they talked about the importance of healing as a community and honoring the memories of those killed in the massacre.
“It’s not this senseless act of violence that makes us a community,” Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan told the crowd. “It’s the lives and acts of our heroes, and numerous acts of kindness and care for our neighbors that defines who we are.”
Hogan said hearts might be broken, but the community itself is not.
“We will take this experience and use it to strengthen our commitment to our each other,” he said. “We will reclaim our city in the name of goodness, kindness and compassion.”
Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke about survivors that he met, who in some cases endangered their lives to save others. Hickenlooper then paid tribute to who sacrificed their lives to save others during the shooting. He said July 20 should be a day to remember the victims, not the act of violence.
“To the victims’ families, we are more sorry than words can express,” Hickenlooper said. “We, like you, struggle to find meaning in an act that defies any type of understanding.”
Aurora Congressmen Mike Coffman and Ed Perlmutter, and U.S. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet attended the event.
The event was therapeutic for some people, including Lindsey Revier, who forfeited her ticket to the showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” that turned deadly because of a friend’s personal crisis.
She said it was good to see so many people come to the prayer vigil to support the victims and celebrate the lives of those who died.
“It’s so fulfilling to see so many other people who are not only here to rejoice but they’re here because their hearts are aching too,” she said.
Quiera Smith, a resident of Englewood, said she came to the prayer vigil to pay tribute to the victims’ lives, rather than their deaths, although she didn’t know anyone involved in the shootings.
She said she was still shaken by the massacre.
“I think it’s horrible that we can’t feel safe even going to the movies and we can’t take our children to the movies to enjoy the cinema because now we have to worry about something like this happening,” she said.
Her 12-year-old daughter, Christiana, said she was sad.
“You shouldn’t have to feel like you’re going to have to walk into sort of a war zone just to go to the movie theater,” she said.
But she said it’s important that people start the healing process.
“I don’t want this to stop anybody’s lives because I think every time something like this happens people put their lives on hold,” she said. “I don’t think we should do that anymore because we never know when it could be our last day.”
Our thoughts go out to the victims families and survivors of this monstrosity. After experiencing the attack on innocent youths 22nd of July last year here in Norway we all know the impact such an act of violence has. Our hearts go out to you all.
My deepest sympathy for the family and friends of all those touched by this tragedy.
From 1 Australian and I can vouch for many more.
Where thinking of you
For the last coverage of the tragedy, I’d highly recommend checking out Democracy Now! Today they’re hosting a roundtable discussion about gun policy. They’re speaking to a number of interesting people including NY Rep. Carolyn McCarthy of NY, whose husband was shot in a mass shooting on the Long Island Railroad in 1993 as well as Omar Esparza, who witnessed the shooting in Colorado. Check it out at democracynow.org
My
sympathy goes out to the victims of this disturbing event. I am sure that some
people will view this event with the attempt to bane gun ownership. If someone
at the theaters had been armed and properly trained, perhaps they could have
returned fire and reduced the number of victims. So this issue has two sides.
One where one person misuses the right to bear arms, but the thousands of law
abiding citizens need to be able to defend themselves from this type of devastation.
As a gun owner, I am in support of the Right to Bare Arms.
This there, we have an unhealthy obsession in this nation with guns and violence. To block any common sense laws or regulations that would ensure only those mentally stable enough to procure guns, ammo and other weapons based on a “religious” like perception of the 2nd Amendment is naive and dangerous.
The NRA need to focus on Rights and Justice that are actually being threatened, not preserving the Right to obtain obscenely destructive weapons focused on killing other people. The average citizen does not need cyanide tipped, armor piercing bullets and a clip that would allow the firing of 100 of these in rapid succession.
Let’s focus on better shades of grey, and not on banning guns all together or no laws whatsoever.
To the people of Aurora, CO: Please know that this Nation, as well as worldwide, are praying that you find comfort in knowing that so many are praying for you during this time of sorrow. To the families of lost loved ones: please know that your loved one did great things in life. As senseless and as agonizing this is for you during this time of grieving, we pray you find peace in knowing that your loved one is in the hands of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, at peace, without sorrow and with complete love surrounding them. Yes, it will take a long time to heal. When grieving, know that this process is normal. To be angry, sad and selfish that you no longer have your loved one with you. But also know that throughout your grieving process you can be proud of your loved one. Feed off of their life as they would want you to get past your grieve and move to a place of peace within yourself.
FOR ALL THE SURVIVORS: it is a time to be grateful and thankful to OUR LOVING GOD. HE put you in this place for a reason…to save lives…and you did. Whether you consider yourself a hero or others do….know that GOD has touched is ever loving hand upon you to heal you inside and out so that you can move on and do great things with your life.
TO ALL PUBLIC PERSONNEL and HOSPITAL PERSONNEL: Your phenomenal way of responding to this horrific tragedy is remarkable. Your response time was incredible.
TO ALL: I feel your community is a lot like our own. We are a midwest town that cares for our people. Take comfort in the people of Aurora and around the Nation. Let us help you heal in knowing that we are praying for all of you. The power of prayer is remarkable in that it brings a common thread to all communities throughout the world and that common thread is….Our resilience to move forward, become stronger and more loving towards our fellow man. May God Bless all of the people who faced evil in that Theater and May God Bless you all. HE will never fail you. I will pray for all of you….and continue to hear of your progress and as my heart tells me with my faith in GOD, I know that this too shall pass and will make us all stronger Americans, stronger people and more loving towards each other. Stay strong AURORA! YOU WILL LIVE ON.
Thoughts and Prayers for the families and friends and all who are deeply grieving at this time. Love from Ireland. may God be with you all at this terrible time.