LEHIGH CO., Pa. – Vigils for Renee Good, the 37-year-old woman killed by ICE agents in Minnesota earlier this week are happening all across our country.
Some of those vigils happened in our area. In the cold rain on Hamilton Street in Allentown, to the warm glow of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, people came together to remember Good Friday night.
“So let’s say her name together, Renee Nicole Good,” Rev. Jon Stratton said at the packed church in Bethlehem.
Allentown Councilwoman, Ce-Ce Gerlach, came to the vigil on Hamilton Street in Allentown.
“I think it’s important at times like this when we’re confused, we’re in mourning, to come together, and gather with others who are also confused, scared, and mourning and figure out how to move forward,” she told 69 News.
The Lehigh Valley Emergency Response Network (ERN) organized the vigil in Bethlehem.
“People are afraid,” said John Irons with ERN. “People are looking for comfort. They’re looking for comfort and protection from local officials from their community.”
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said, “We’ve seen an escalation in cities across America and part of that escalation has resulted now in the death of Renee Nicole Good and that tragedy does have an impact in the city, even if we don’t see the presence of ICE here. Fear is having an impact.”
Organizers from both vigils say they hope to bring solidarity.
“It’s politics aside, just be human,” says Victoria Fields, Allentown vigil organizer and co-founder of Agency Co-work.