Boston Vigil Honors Charleston Victims

As the country grieves over the tragic shootings in Charleston, communities continue to come together to pray for peace.

"Nine precious believers who came out on a Wednesday night, like every Wednesday at every AME church, just to pray," said Rev. Gregory Groover of the Charles Street AME.

Sunday night in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, the area’s AME churches joined forces and welcomed the public for a prayer service to honor the nine victims of the Charleston shooting.

"All lives matter - all lives matter. Black, white, Hispanic, Chinese, you could be polka dot and purple - your life still matters," said Audrey Parham of Mattapan.

Hundreds of people from all faiths took part at Charles Street AME, where some have left flowers on the church's front steps as a tribute to the AME community.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey spoke; Bill Richard, the father of marathon bombing victim Martin Richard, was in the crowd; and Boston's Cardinal, Sean O'Malley, told those gathered that racism is a disease in this country, and there is one solution.

"Only love will be able to cure that disease," he said.

Sunday's service was about forgiveness, healing and solidarity.

"It just kind of brings people together, it lets us make this bold statement, I think that we are together, we're not afraid," said Rev. Ellis Washington of St. Paul AME. "There's more of us than it is of those who would do such crazy things."

Sunday's was an interfaith service, with Muslim and Jewish leaders also taking part and offering prayers.

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