Minnesota vigils remember dead in Las Vegas
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Hundreds attended candlelight vigils in Minneapolis and Duluth Wednesday to honor victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas earlier in the week. They were sponsored by groups that are in favor of tougher gun laws.
In Duluth, people lit candles as victims' names were read aloud.
Joan Peterson is co-president of Northland Brady/Protect Minnesota, which sponsored the vigil. She said usually she's very sad after a shooting.
"But this time I was very angry. And we need to take that anger and sadness and turn it into action," Peterson said.
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A similar gathering drew around 250 people to Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis.
Leaders from several different faith traditions — Muslim and Jewish, Lutheran and Catholic — came together to decry what they called a public health crisis.
Several said that while prayers for the victims are good, those prayers need to be followed by action.
The Minneapolis vigil was organized by Protect Minnesota and Moms Demand Action.
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said the incident makes her worry that a tragic shooting could happen anywhere.
"When something like this happens, it is terrifying to my core," Larson told the audience. "Because you realize as a mayor there is a lot you can do to build a positive, healthy, loving community. And how quickly that can be torn apart."
