The First Church Unitarian Universalist hosted an open meeting Tuesday night for neighbors to grieve, express their feelings, and talk to one another on the wake of Sunday night murders at pizzeria Same Old Place.
Around 7:30 pm there were about 20 neighbors, members of the Boston Public Health Commission trauma team, State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez and City Councilor Félix Arroyo and a handful of police officers.
Pastor Terri Burke made a point to personally greet every attendee, introduced himself, and talked about the incident.
Burke mentioned that different from the gathering in December 2009 after the gun down of Tedeschi clerk Surendra Dangol, a few yards from the church, when people sat on the pews and meditated, this time people were actively talking to one another.
One neighbor mentioned that "Same Old Place is one of the safest places in town, with cops and detectives having pizza there all of the time."
Some lit candles. Others came in with their babies, presumably with the hope that their offspring won't grow up in the same violent environment we suffer today. A sense of outrage was tempered by a feeling of condolence about the young lives lost, and of solidarity with the relatives left behind.
The Boston Public Health Commission offers trauma help, counseling, and advice about available resources at 617-534-2662.
First Baptist Church, 663 Centre St, is holding a silent vigil for an end to violence tonight starting at 8 p.m. Check with JP Patch tomorrow for coverage of the vigil.
