While Charlottesville violence and protests continue divisive dialogue nationally, Santa Clarita residents gathered to create a place “to be able to come together.”

“I was actually just on Facebook and social media and some people who I don’t know were wondering if their pastors spoke about the events this weekend,” said Pastor Ryan Chaddick, leader of Bloom Lutheran Church in Valencia. “I chimed in, ‘Hey we should do a vigil.’”

He began reaching out to friends, also through social media and phone calls, and worked with several others to organize the gathering Wednesday night at McBean and Magic Mountain parkways.

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“We just kind of threw it together, with the intent that our community needs spaces to be able to come together, to bear witness to the suffering in the world, the suffering in our midst,” Chaddick said.

A crowd estimated at around 50 or so came after the group contacted friends Linda Davies, executive director of the Domestic Violence Center, other congregational leaders and the community at large.

“And we bring healing to the world when we bear witness, and hold each other in love,” he said, likening the event to a “corporate community confession.”

While the event came together with the help of religious leaders, that wasn’t necessarily what the event was about, he added.

“I said last night, that as people we transcend organized religious differences, because we’re organizing for something higher,” Chaddick said.

For more than an hour, chants of “Love wins” accompanied signs on the street corner that called for unity, with slogans like “Let’s stand together” and “Know Love, Know Peace.”

Chaddick planted the seeds of Bloom Lutheran about two years ago, with the congregation starting “to root” about a year ago, he said. The group now meets Sundays at 11 a.m. at North Park Elementary School.

“There’s just such a need to be with people, to connect, and to know you belong with other people, especially with difficult and trying times,” Chaddick said, discussing the idea behind the gathering, “but the need to belong and feel connected is so important.”

In response to Charlottesville, several officials have issued statements:

Congressman Steve Knight, R-Palmdale:

“Racism and hate have no place in our country. Period. Neo nazis, white supremacists, KKK, and others alike speak and act only of hate and should never be defended.”

L.A. County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger,

“Praying for the victims and families impacted by the senseless and cowardly violence in #Charlottesville today, and strongly condemn the hatred and racism it stems from.”

Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth

“What we saw in Charlottesville was an abomination, and no less than an act of terror. I gladly stand with local government officials from across the country in denouncing the actions and ideals promoted by the organizers. Conversely, I am proud to see Santa Clarita respond to the hatred we saw with both love and prayer. I am proud to serve as mayor for this amazing community.”

Santa Clarita City Councilman Bill Miranda

“I want to state unequivocally that I oppose Nazi’s, the KKK and any White Supremacy group that exists anywhere in the world. As a man of color I find those organizations, its members and any of their supporters to be my personal enemy and the enemies of our great country. There is no room for any equivocation on the matter and there is no room for these people in our great city, state or country.

I grew up in New York City, the melting pot of the world in its day. My school mates were Jewish, Latino, Black and White. Many nationalities existed on every “block.” We argued, fought and called one another pretty nasty names by today’s standards. But we always respected one and other’s right to be whoever we were without fear of annihilation. Our parents constantly reminded us of the purges they escaped to come to America. Jews, Poles, Africans, Chinese, Russians, Cubans, Armenians and many other kids were in my classes.

Many years have passed and almost all of America is now a melting pot. But as the events of this past weekend show, a small and very dangerous part of our society is hell bent on destroying it. Their actions show us that we must be vigilant. We must fight every foothold they try to make no matter where. We must fight those who wear swastikas and white hoods, but also those who hide behind the guise of normalcy while undermining our society from within. Fight every slur, every bully and every hater! Never go along to get along! Fight! Stand up for yourself and for everyone else who may be victims of haters!

I ask these comments be made public so I can assure all our Santa Clarita citizens that our city will not tolerate these haters not even for one second. Our city’s mission statement includes words against hate. Beyond that the council recently passed an anti-hate declaration. And, I know every member of the council as well as our city managers stand by those declarations. I will add that my personal commitment to you is to find, expose and excoriate any organization or person associated in any way with Nazi’s, KKK or any White Supremacy groups. Santa Clarita has zero tolerance for haters.”

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