There was an impromptu candlelight vigil in Charlottesville last night, and the pictures are so powerful

Olivia Harvey
Updated
There was an impromptu candlelight vigil in Charlottesville last night, and the pictures are so powerful
There was an impromptu candlelight vigil in Charlottesville last night, and the pictures are so powerful

The country is still recovering from Friday’s white nationalist rally, which resulted in the murder of peaceful protester, Heather Heyer. To spread love and peace throughout the devastated city, Charlottesville citizens held a candlelight vigil Wednesday night, proving that hate cannot and will not win.

The University of Virginia campus was packed with hundreds of citizens and supporters singing songs and sharing moments of silence for Heyer and State Troopers Jay Cullen and Berke Bates, who also lost their lives in a fluke helicopter crash while trying to conduct surveillance of Friday’s protest.

Images and clips from the candlelight vigil are hauntingly beautiful and overwhelmingly uplifting.

University of Virginia responded to hate with love. There are more of us than them. Let's continue to unite. March for Civility on Sept 23rd. RestoreCivility.org #RememberCharlottesville

A post shared by Free Hugs Guy/Project

(@freehugsproject.tv) on Aug 17, 2017 at 3:17am PDT

This is our community. United together to stand for love, respect and inclusion. #HoosTogether #WhyDarden : @sanjaysuchak

A post shared by UVA Darden School of Business (@dardenmba) on Aug 17, 2017 at 7:28am PDT

Hundreds of people peacefully marched with lit candles Wednesday at the University of Virginia Campus to oppose the hatred that shook the nation in Charlottesville. In unity, they sang songs such as "This Little Light of Mine," "This Land is Your Land" and "God Bless America." #Charlottesville #Virginia #UniversityofVirginia #Peace #Candles #Love #Unity #LoveWins #Violence #War

A post shared by THE AMED.ZE.KOR POST (@amzpost) on Aug 17, 2017 at 7:22am PDT

Those in attendance participated in a sing-along of the University’s triumph song, “The Good Old Song.” University of Virginia alum Katie Couric shared a video on Instagram writing in her caption,

“Never been so proud of my alma mater. I wish everyone there a wonderful year full of friendship, compassion and enlightenment. Some traditions-but not all-deserve to be preserved.”

Never been so proud of my alma mater. I wish everyone there a wonderful year full of friendship, compassion and enlightenment. Some traditions-but not all-deserve to be preserved. #Charlottesville #uva #HoosTogether

A post shared by Katie Couric (@katiecouric) on Aug 16, 2017 at 7:41pm PDT

Later, the group sang “Lean On Me” together.

Never forget that we out number them. #fuckh8

A post shared by History Buff (@terrifiedhistorybuff) on Aug 17, 2017 at 6:43am PDT

In the wake of what took place in Charlottesville, cities across the country are holding free speech rallies and protests against hate speech. New York City is holding their anti-racism protest on Friday, August 18th. Boston is hosting both a stand for solidarity and a Fight Supremacy! counter-protest on Saturday, August 19th.

Daytona Beach, Florida, Burton, Michigan, and Millersburg, Ohio are also hosting their own counter-protests in light of last weekend’s Nazi rally.

"You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes There may be pain in the night But joy comes in the morning And when the oceans rage I don't have to be afraid Because I know that You love me Your love never fails You make all things work together for my good, You make all things work together for my good"

A post shared by Kiersten Urch (@kiersteeeeenn) on Aug 17, 2017 at 4:17am PDT

This USA Today article shows where protests will be happening around you, so take a look and spread the word if you’d like to lend your voice to the movement.