Community Vigils Planned for Friday in East Hampton, Sag Harbor

Two community vigils are planned for Friday on the one week anniversary of the school shootings in Newtown.

East Hampton Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. announced that a community gathering will be held on Friday afternoon at the Hook Mill, where 26 Christmas trees were set up on Monday to remember the victims. The East Hampton Clericus will attend and provide support, he said in a statement. The public is invited to bring a candle and one tree ornament.

“As a father and grandfather the horrific acts of violence in Newtown is a painful reminder of the preciousness of life," Rickenbach said on Tuesday. "The suggestion of Kathy Byrnes to place the 26 trees at the Memorial Green is one way for the people of East Hampton to share their grief with the people of Newtown. We extend an invitation to the community to join us as we seek to overcome the pain and suffering of the families of the victims and the entire community of Newtown.”

The Rev. Alison Cornish, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork, will also hold a Multi-Faith Vigil Against Assault Weapons on Friday at Marine Park in Sag Harbor at 9:30 a.m. She did not respond for comment immediately.

Meanwhile, in the 24 hours since the Christmas trees were set up as a temporary memorial to the victims of the shooting, the trees have already been quickly decorated with ornaments and ribbons.

Do you plan on attending one of the vigils? Tell us in the comments below.