URI holds vigil for victims of recent shootings

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

KINGSTON, R.I. – The University of Rhode Island held a vigil Wednesday for the seven people killed last week in shootings across the country.

More than 100 people gathered in solidarity, amidst civil unrest nationwide. The people held signs that read: My Life Matters.

Campus police and university officials addressed the crowd.

"Treat people like you want your most cherished loved one to be treated," said Naomi Thompson, associate vice president of Community, Equity and Diversity at URI.

The crowd also urged a bridge to the gap between police and the people they serve. "We really need to be engaged in the community now more than ever because of these challenging times," Major Michael Jagoda with the URI Police Department told ABC6 News.

Incoming freshman Marie Loua is hopeful that this cycle of violence and racism can come to an end. "We can get through it and I really believe that,” she said. “The fact that all of us here can come together and talk about this issue, we can definitely make things bigger and make things happen."

Jagoda said he is touched by the support the officers have received from students in the days following the tragedy in Dallas.
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