Amid protests, Richland County ministers lead prayer event to call for healing, unity
More than 100 people gathered at Finlay Park in downtown Columbia Saturday evening as church leaders from across Richland County put on a “Prayer and Praise” event amid ongoing protests against racism and police violence.
Organized by the Richland County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the prayer event took place on the eighth day of protests in the Midlands that started after George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
In addition to music, Saturday’s event featured prayers for protesters, legislators, the community and the nation as faith leaders called for an end to racism and a move toward spiritual healing.
“Truth be told, we have watched and participated and experienced so much that we are overcome by grief,” the Rev. Jana Creighton told the crowd. “And frankly, we are fueled by pain. Your loved ones are suffering, Lord God, and it must end.”
While last weekend’s peaceful protest devolved into violence, property damage and a strong police response, Saturday evening’s event had a minimal law enforcement presence and drew many older people and families.
“I feel like in our world, our world needs healing, and our world needs to come together,” said Jamesha Shackerford, who attended Saturday’s event.
As the Finlay Park gathering was drawing to a close, protesters from the South Carolina State House marched into the park and were greeted by the event’s emcee, the Rev. Chris Leevy Johnson.
Jonathan Hampton, who attended the event with his partner and two children, said he brought his 4-year-old daughter to help her understand the importance of the recent protests. “We just want her to get that real-life experience at that age,” Hampton said.
During the prayer event organizers also distributed voter registration forms and reminded people of the upcoming primary elections on Tuesday. State Rep. Ivory Thigpen, who is also an area pastor, spoke to the gathering and urged attendees to push South Carolina lawmakers to pass hate crime legislation when they soon return to session.
South Carolina is one of four states in the country without laws criminalizing offenses committed on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex or disability.
Citing the Charleston church shooting in 2015, Thigpen called South Carolina “Ground Zero with what could be the most horrific and terrible hate crime that happened.”
For the most part, however, the mood Saturday was largely upbeat and optimistic as music played and ministers prayed for progress.
“God, we’re not gonna point the finger at others.” said Taylor Shytle, pastor at Elevation Church in Columbia.
“We’re going to say, ‘God, what do you want to do in me?’”
This story was originally published June 6, 2020 at 8:55 PM.
