Uniting for Charleston

By: NICKOLAS FONTENOT
Staff Reporter

Church leaders and members of the community came together at the entrance of the Evangeline Parish Courthouse on Monday, to honor the nine victims of the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E) shooting.
With a congregation of more than 150 people, some came as far as Jennings to attend, demonstrating, Reverend Matthew Alfred Jr. of St. Joseph Baptist Church began the ceremony by saying, “We have come together and we not only to remember and pray for the victims of the Emmanuel A.M.E incident, but pray for greater cohesion of races in Ville Platte.”
Alfred gave a short speech then began to call on speakers to the to the microphone, one after another. Some of the key speakers were: Rev. Freddie Jack of St. John Baptist Church, Rev. Brian Dore, of New Life Assembly, Associate Priest Brian Herrington of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rev. Kevin West of First Baptist Church of Ville Platte and Rev. Eradley Ben, Sr. of Antioch / Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. Sister Carlene Bellard also gave a rendition of “Lord, lead me Home.”
Rev. Ben reached out to young men and women in attendance to become leaders in their communities and among their cohorts. “All things must work together for the greater good of the group,” said Ben.
“We stand together in unity, as a community of love,” added Robert Moore, executive director of coalition for Peace Actions.
There was another them throughout the speeches given on Monday, with many reciting the phrase, “We shall overcome; according to the Holy Word.”
Despite the murder of nine people inside a church, Rev. Alfred stated that a house of worship is still a refuge for all people.
“A church is a refuge for Christians and we desire to see to it so that all Christians can attend without fear of persecution.” Alfred said.