Unity, hope for change focus of R.B. vigil
Community forum will be held Jan. 19 to continue dialogue
BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer
The light shown brightly in Red Bank Dec. 7 when about 200 residents braved the cold and gathered at the site where two young men were shot almost two weeks ago, and they were armed with a message of tolerance and unity.

CHRIS KELLY staff Sabree Harris, 15, takes part in a candlelight vigil held Dec. 7 at the Montgomery Terrace housing complex on the west side of Red Bank as an expression of unity among community members after two men were shot and critically injured at the complex.

"In Red Bank, I'm going to let it shine," sang the participants at the candlelight vigil as neighbor linked arm with neighbor in a show of solidarity for the injured youths as well as the alleged shooter, Anthony Sims, who turned 19 while on the lam.

The vigil, led by the Rev. Terrence K. Porter of Pilgrim Baptist Church on Shrewsbury Avenue, and the Rev. Randy McNeil of Mt. Zion House of Prayer, Red Bank, began at 8:30 p.m. when community members met at the church and then drove in a caravan to Montgomery Terrace, the Tilton Avenue housing complex where the shootings took place.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Celestine Stone (top, left) lights a candle held by Linda Clarke at a vigil held Dec. 7 at the Montgomery Terrace housing complex on the west side of Red Bank. Participants (left photo) bow their heads as a prayer is offered at the vigil, which was organized by church and community leaders to bring members of the community together in a show of unity following the shootings of two men at the complex Nov. 26.

After a brief speech by Porter inside the recreation center of the complex, participants lined up outside and marched in silence to one of the parking lots in the complex to pray for the young men involved and sing songs of hope and change for the community.

"Part of letting our light shine is to share it with someone else," said Porter. He said the sharing of the lighted candles held by participants symbolized sharing the goodness inside a person with someone else.

"We can do more if we are galvanized together than in isolation because remember, this is the beginning of a unified effort in Red Bank," he added.

Porter noted that school officials and Borough Council members were in attendance at the vigil and Mayor Pasquale Menna joined him and other clergy members leading the service.

"I was absolutely moved by the silence that we all expressed in moving up here from the bottom of Montgomery Terrace. That silence was deafening. That silence demonstrated unity and cohesiveness in our community," said Menna.

He said in honor of the community members who gathered in the Montgomery Terrace courtyard that night, the courtyard would be renamed "Unity Place."

"We're grateful for you, for bringing us all together in a prayerful sense so that we can all work together to move forward to act as a family and to love each other as a family because that's what we are, we are all family here," said Menna.

Other clergy members spoke during the ceremony, and John Moore Jr. of Pilgrim Baptist Church said a prayer for those who commit crimes of violence and their families.

"Heal up the community, heal up the nation," Moore began. "Teach them to put down the guns and raise up the words."

It was these words of peace, tolerance, unity and community that lifted up residents during the vigil. Many people in attendance felt that the event was the beginning of effecting change in the community that had seen a string of violent incidents recently culminating in the Nov. 26 shootings that left two young men critically injured but in stable condition.

"It's a beginning. I'm hopeful that we will continue to get strength as we move along," said Eleanor Taylor of Lincroft after the ceremony.

Family members and friends of the victims were present at the vigil, including those of Sims, who has residences in both Eatontown and Red Bank.

"We do need peace and love and unity in this town," said Pauline Booker, a cousin of Sims. She said she prayed for Sims and wanted him to know that his family loves him and is behind him.

"There are too many young people losing their lives, not just dying but in jail. This is to show that the community is behind [them]," said Karen Henderson, who formerly lived in Montgomery Terrace, but now resides in Long Branch. She said that she would like to see a vigil like the one in Red Bank take place in Long Branch for the youth there as well.

A community forum will be held Jan. 19 at Mt. Zion House of Prayer, to continue the community dialogue on the issues raised by the shootings.

"We shall overcome," sang participants as the ceremony came to a close Dec. 7.

"Go in peace, go in love, go in unity and we shall overcome some day," said Porter as community members swayed together peacefully in unison.