RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Pastor Dwayne Whitehead, a local Eastend Pastor, and Bishop Leon Benjamin, a local Southside Pastor, are calling for local churches to come together and conduct simultaneous Prayer Vigils around the city of Richmond on Monday, June 22.
This is in response to the Charleston attack on Emanuel AME Church. An Emergency meeting was held on Friday with various pastors from around the City of Richmond at a Southside location to discuss what area churches will do to secure a safer place of worship for their parishioners and to implement those safety protocols immediately.
Bishop Benjamin and other pastors have agreed that they will not be intimidated by such actions from individuals who want to bring violence and terror into the interior walls of local churches, according to a release.
Pastor Dwayne Whitehead has suggested that area pastors begin to stand in coalition now to make local Churches and Communities a safer place for all people.
Prayer vigils will be held at the following locations on Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m.:
First Union Baptist Church
6144 Derwent Road, Richmond 23225
First African Baptist Church
2700 Hanes Avenue, Richmond 23222
Chimborazo Park
2900 E. Grace Street, Richmond 23223
Second Baptist Church
1400 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond 23220
