FAIRBANKS — Dozens of people gathered in downtown Fairbanks on Sunday to peacefully protest the election of Donald Trump with a candlelight vigil.
More than 60 people of various ages and backgrounds attended the vigil, which was meant to show unity after a divisive national election, The Daily News-Miner reported. It was also meant to support the many groups who felt targeted by Trump’s campaign trail rhetoric.
Steven Arturo Greenlaw, one of the event’s organizers, said it was about the community and coming together in love and acceptance.
Many of the speakers expressed fear that Trump’s election will be used as justification for individual acts of hate and violence throughout the country. Alyssa Quintyne recounted being targeted for harassment after the election, which she said she never experienced in the 14 years she’s been in Fairbanks.
“Those actions and fear are not acceptable and we should not let them become acceptable,” she said, urging everyone to stand up against hate.
At one point, people handed out safety pins, an emerging symbol of solidarity with victims of racism, sexism and homophobia
Another speaker was Ana Richards, who grew up in Panama but has lived in Fairbanks for more than a decade. She said she was shamed for the color of her skin when she was a child and told people to learn about those who are different from themselves.
“I had no option to get out of my comfort zone to survive,” she said. “I want to encourage you to do it, too. We have more in common than we have different.”
