Kate Simmons, Marie F. Smith and Jennifer Jones,  at the Juncture of Congress Street and the Eastern Promenade This Evening.

A Tearful Statute of Liberty Replica at the Vigil This Evening.

Hill Neighbors began Arriving at the Rally Opposed to Racism Promoted by the Trump Admiinistration Around 6:30 pm

“This is an invitation to everyone to join us this evening to make a sign and have a conversation about what is going on in Charlottesville today,” said Marie F. Smith, a co-leader with Mainers for Accountable Leadership. Ms. Smith was referring to the rioting and at least three deaths and nineteen injured in the home of the University of Virginia today.  “What can we do to change the culture of hate in our country?” she asked.

A large circle of people had assembled at the juncture of the Eastern Promenade and Congress Street starting around 6:30 pm and expected to end this evening around 8:00 pm.  It was an impromptu coming together when the three leaders decided they did not want to witness this act of  hate in isolation,

” President Trump has given permission for this culture of hate and violence and our power is love,” said Jennifer Jones, a member of March Forth, a non-profit organization.  “The fact that people can walk our streets without hoods is  chilling because they have no fear about being racists.”

Jones went on to say that the Trump Administration has removed the neo-Nazis and white supremacists from the terror watch list early in his administration.

An unidentified speaker in the circle that was growing steadly as people were out for an evening walk on the Eastern Promenade,  said that Portland welcomes all immigrants.  “This is not democracy,” she said of the terrorist attack in Charlottesville today.