AACC will hold a “Rise Above Hate” Vigil on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

AACC will host a vigil for students, staff, faculty and the community. The vigil is a chance for everyone to come together in a time of healing in the light of the events that happened in Charlottesville and what is happening in Houston.

“The goal of the vigil is to give the campus a chance to come together and heal,” President Dr. Dawn Lindsay said.

Lindsay went on to explain how after the events in Charlottesville that people have expressed feelings of “powerlessness” and asked for ways to build a stronger community. Which is how the Division of Learning came with the idea of hosting a vigil.

The vigil will include music from students, two religious leaders leading everyone in prayer and a call to action as well as different readings from people.

“This event is an opportunity for our college to come together while asserting the values that we have affirmed through our vision, mission, and philosophy: that we believe in inclusivity and introducing our students to the their role as engaged citizens,” Dr. Michael Gavin, vice president of learning said in an email addressed to faculty and staff.

This is the first vigil held on campus since Lindsay took office five years ago.