Officers, Community Leaders Hold Morning Of Prayer In Hill District
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- People came together at Freedom Corner in the Hill District to pray for peace, protection and healing.
"We've come together today to simply do this -- put aside all of our differences and pray and seek God," said Reverend Victor Grigsby.
Blacks, whites, community leaders, pastors from the Hill District Alliance of Ministers and Pittsburgh City Police gathered.
At the top of the prayer list were three officers from Baton Rouge killed in the line of duty on Sunday.
"We just buried five officers, three new ones, it's praying time," said Reverend Scott Grayson.
The shootings come after a terrible week of violence in the country where five Dallas police officers were killed along with two black men shot by police.
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"Black on black, blue on black, black on blue -- it's praying time," Grayson said.
He offered support to three city police officers standing behind him.
"We want to pray for these men and women who everyday leave home, leave home to serve and protect, that God will cover them," he said.
There were also prayers for the city and hope for a brighter future for the children. Mayor Bill Peduto offered a solution on where to go from here.
"We either fight it with hate and choosing sides or we take that upper road of finding ways to work together as one and being able to treat each other with respect," he said.
The prayer vigil ended with offerings of gratitude and allegiance with police officers.
"You represent so much to us we want you to know today we stand with you we do not stand against but we stand with you in the power of almighty God," Grigsby said.