Vigil held before March For Our Lives to remember mass shooting victims

ANOKA, Minn. (KMSP) - A day before millions across the country are expected to take part in the March For Our Lives, people gathered at a vigil in Anoka to remember victims of gun violence.

Inside First Congregational Church of Friday night, people took time to reflect on the victims of mass shootings from Parkland, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Because we have a shared conviction that our lives have value, our children’s lives have value, our teacher’s lives have value,” said Rev. Chris McArdle of First Congregational Church UCC of Anoka.

Reflection wasn't the only thing on the night's agenda ahead of Saturday's March For Our Lives in St. Paul.

“We need to get beyond just being upset to what are we going to do about it,” said Jefferson Fietek, a Sandy Hook Promise Ambassador. “Let’s think about how this makes us feel, and what are we going to do with those feelings.”

Sandy Hook Promise aims to bring the community together to find solutions to gun violence.

“Ultimately, our goal is we want everyone to feel safe and we want our kids to feel safe,” said Fietek.

Mother Kathryn Eckhardt brought her daughter Kassidy to the event. 

“I think that it’s sad, but at the same time, we need to recognize what was happening and do something about it,” said Kassidy.

“I am inspired by our young people, so I think as they said in the service today,” said Kathryn. “I think taking a moment and letting young people inspire us might be a good thing this time.”

The student march to the Capitol in St. Paul gets underway at 9:30 a.m. on Harriet Island.