On Friday, Nov. 2, members of Oswego State gathered together in a somber dedication to the lives lost in the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting and the Kentucky shooting of two African Americans in a Kroger grocery store.
According to Omar van Reenen, president of Student Association, over 100 Lakers, including faculty and students, showed up in solidarity and support at the vigil. Numerous students and Oswego State President Deborah Stanley spoke at the event, along with the lighting of candles and a moment of silence following the reading of the victim’s names.
An Oswego State member of Jewish Life spoke of how this was the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in the U.S. thus far.
“I do not feel as safe as I once did,” Gabrielle Solomon said. “No one should ever feel unsafe because of their religious beliefs, the color of their skin, culture, their sexual identity or anything else. Regardless of our differences, we have to put an end to these hate crimes.”
Students who spoke at the vigil included members from Jewish Life, Vice President Sarah Nehama and Solomon. Ariel Gutman-Gates, the president of Active Minds, Andrew Nimetz, a Laker Leader, Marquel Jeffries, the SA director of diversity and inclusion and van Reenen also spoke. Rabbi Yossi Madvig from the Chabod of Oswego was unable to attend the event, but Solomon read a statement for him. Yossi also released a written statement on his blog in response to the shooting.
van Reenen reminded students they should feel safe on campus and that the campus community needs to band together against hate.
“Even though these incidents happened states away, hate is not welcomed here; anti-Semitism is not welcome here; racism is not welcome here, and yes, gun violence is not welcome here,” van Reenen said. “It is paramount now more than ever to denounce these despicable acts of gun violence and anti-Semitism, or history will repeat itself.”
In his speech, van Reenen began a chant, “no hate in my state.” As he continued, more attendees at the vigil began to join, creating one voice to denounce hate.
“An attack on one community, is an attack on us all,” van Reenen said. “So as Lakers, as students, we must be active leaders in pushing against hate in our state, hate in our communities.”
van Reenen closed his speech with a reminder to all students, no matter their sexual preference, religious beliefs or political beliefs, that all are welcomed and loved on campus.
“To any Laker who has experienced marginalization, discrimination and any act of hate, together we will pursue love in all forms, push back against those that divide us and affirm our positions in society,” van Reenen said. “And on Tuesday [Election Day], we have our chance to do so and many, many other days after that.”
Following van Reenen, Stanley spoke out about how her words were not needed because of the outpouring from students and the positive reaction of students coming together following the tragic events.
“You don’t need my words tonight because you have your hearts,” Stanley said.
Stanley also spoke about how, while it is impossible to change what has already happened, it is important to call out anti-Semitism for what it is and to work on changing the future.
“The future is hopeful because of how you are taking a stance,” Stanley said. “Go forward in the world and make the world a better place.”
Photos by Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian
