A day long memorial with music, speeches and prayers will be part of a planned July 20 ceremony to honor victims of the theater shooting, city officials announced last week. Detailed plans for the memorial ceremony haven’t been finalized though, city staff said.
The day would begin with a prayer ceremony on the Aurora Municipal Center’s lawn, speeches by faith leaders and music, city staff told Aurora City Council members at their April 15 council meeting. The event would continue with healing activities including art, meditation, yoga and counseling, and people could also participate in community service projects throughout the day, such as helping a nonprofit organization.
City officials say they have talked with victims and victims’ families about the plans, and will continue to get input from them on what the day should look like.
Karen Morales, spokeswoman for the 7/20 Recovery Committee, said the day would be an opportunity for people from around the city to gather together and honor victims.
“What’s so important about commemorating a tragic event like this is really that spirit of moving forward and the community joining together and helping each other,” she said.
At the council meeting, Michelle Wolfe, deputy city manager, asked council members for approval to move forward with the plans.
Some council members cautioned that the city not overload victims and families with multiple activities throughout the day.
“I believe that we all grieve in our own way and we should allow the victims and their families to grieve in the way they need to,” said Councilwoman Renie Peterson. “I don’t think it’s up to us to push our agenda onto the victims and their families.”
Councilwoman Barb Cleland said she supports the idea of offering various activities and community service projects because the victims include the entire city of 330,000 people, not just those who were in the theater.
“They may need an opportunity to come together and say, ‘What can I do? (to help)” Cleland said.
Morales said everyone grieves differently but it’ll be important to offer several, quality events that people can participate in if they choose.
“For some idividuals it really helps with their healing process to be very connected and engaged, whereas for others it’s about not necessarily marking milestones like anniversary dates and so forth,” she said. “What will be important is providing a wide variety of options and opportunities for individuals to remember in a way that suits their needs most.”
The Century Aurora theater is not involved with the July 20 remembrance event as of now, Wolfe said.
Reach reporter Sara Castellanos at 720-449-9036 or sara@aurorasentinel.com.