Wai'anae holds vigil today for victim of beating
Advertiser Staff
Youth from Wai'anae, Kalihi and Waimanalo will hold a vigil tonight to pray for peace and nonviolence following the beating death of William Van Winkle.
Family photo
Police said Van Winkle, 36, was fatally beaten by a group of men and teens on a Wai'anae basketball court July 14. Members of the Van Winkle family and community members also will attend the vigil.
William Van Winkle was a victim of fatal violence.
About 20 young people have worked on a Hawai'i Ecumenical Coalition peace and nonviolence project for the past nine weeks.
The United Methodist Church, United Churches of Christ and the Center for Global Nonviolence have sponsored the project.
Executive director Kaleo Patterson said the Hawai'i Ecumenical Coalition is a group of progressive churches and activist groups that have been working on various peace projects since 1989.
The theme of the youth project is "creating a culture of peace and nonviolence" — and aims to train youth in leadership, community organizing and action.
"We're enabling the future of our kids," said Patterson. "We want them to be committed, to have some skills and to understand the violence in our world."
Tonight's vigil will include songs, prayers and speeches promoting peace and nonviolence.
The vigil will begin at 7 p.m. today in Wai'anae District Park, across from Wai'anae Intermediate.
