Charles City vigil for George Floyd

Putting an end to division

It's not something you would expect in a small north iowa town, or perhaps you would.

Tonight dozens gathered in charles city to remember the life of george floyd and pray for peace.

Live kimt news 3's nick kruszalnicki joins us live in charles city, nick?

George ?

"* just a few hours ag, a very diverse crowd came out here to central park in charles city.

Their message was clear ?

"* they want to see people of all colors get along, just as well as folks in charles city do.

Nats: "it's in jesus name we pray tonight, amen."

A short blessing ?

"* and then quiet reflection on how we've come to this point in our society.

Christine bauer says she wanted tonight's rememberance to have a very different tone.

"when people think of protests, they think of violence and i just really wanted to squash that idea and have something peaceful and i thought a candlelight vigil would be the best option."

The vigil attracted young and old ?

"* as well as every color and creed in charles city.

"i teach kids of all races and all colors and i really wanted to be here to support them."

Educator tia mcinroy wanted to send a message of her own.

She wants her students to inheirit a better world.

"i just hope that every single student has the same opportunities no matter what their color, no matter what their race, no matter what their religion."

Justin hoefer ?

"* maintains charles city is a very accepting community to live in.

"i came here from a different town and since i am a light skinned person and i did not feel one bit of discrimination from anyone in charles city."

To show their solidarity, both the floyd county sheriff and charles city police chief attended tonight's vigil.

Hoefer says he was glad they came.

"i have no reason to fear about the everyone out here i spoke with said they feel like they've had enough with the racial tension in this country and they hope george floyd's death will spark some real change.

Live in charles city, nick kruszalnicki, kimt news 3.

Thank you nick.

It's good to see so many people gathering peacefully ?

"* with things stil very tense across the country.