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Roxboro residents pray for unity after KKK parade

With many still shaken after a KKK caravan passed through Roxboro on Saturday, community members held a vigil Tuesday night to pray for peace and unity.

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ROXBORO, N.C. — With many still shaken after a KKK caravan passed through Roxboro on Saturday, community members held a vigil Tuesday night to pray for peace and unity.

Everyone was welcome at the New Mount Zion Baptist Church to share a hug and share their worries after the KKK passed through the city.

“This is a family community where we love one another and we give each other the benefit of the doubt and you judge people by the content of their hearts, not their outward appearance,” said Pastor Glen Newsome Jr.

The Klan paraded in about 20 vehicles through Roxboro on Saturday afternoon, waving Confederate flags as they purportedly celebrated Donald Trump's election as president.

Police Chief David Hess and Mayor Merilyn Newell, along with many others in the community, said the message the KKK spreads has no place in Person County.

“And that’s the message we are sending here tonight; regardless of what comes into our community that is unwanted, unplanned, unexpected, this is how I hope we will always respond,” said Newell

Many at Tuesday’s vigil said they are saddened by what they see as a hateful message spread by the KKK.

“I object to their message because Jesus died for everyone, not just the people that we like, and that love on the cross trumps anything at all,” said Newsome.

Attendees were also hopeful that change will come and hope it begins with the vigil.

“I think everybody need to come together as one. With the march, they’re trying to separate themselves to me,” said attendee Vicky Coleman. “But if everybody just come together as one, it’ll be about a nation.”

The New Mount Zion Baptist Church will host a discussion on race relations in Roxboro Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

   

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