St. Charles County Holds Interfaith Vigil Against Hate

October 9, 2000

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On October 9, 2000, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the St. Charles County Social Justice Alliance, "an organization of faith-based and civic-minded residents working for equity regardless of race, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity appearance or ability," held a Stop the Hate vigil and interfaith service on Thursday night. The community recognizes that it is probably entering a period of rapid growth which will likely increase its diversity. Some members of the alliance described the event as "pre-emptive" against the "intolerance and tension that have spread in other rapidly changing communities." Others say they have already felt tension. "At the end of the service, the group circled in front of the church with lighted candles to sing and lift up Christian, Jewish, Baha'i, Native American and Islamic prayers."