About 200 people united at Sanborn Square in downtown during a time of grief in the nation. The vigil was organized by Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy, an association of Jewish, Islamic and Christian clergies including a Hispanic ministry.

Myrrh and Solie Thomas hold candles while sitting across from their father Rev. Ben Thomas Jr. of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church at a vigil in downtown Boca Raton. (Carla Trivino / Mundo Hispanico Palm Beach)

Hilina and Solie Thomas hold candles while sitting across from their father Rev. Ben Thomas Jr. of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church during a vigil in downtown Boca Raton for Charlottesville victims. (Carla Trivino / Mundo Hispanico Palm Beach)

Carla Trivino

“All these people throughout our community holding candles, singing songs and listening to our religious leaders from all denominations speak to us about peace, love and the importance of coming together,” said Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla). “That’s what binds a community together.”

Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla. attends a vigil for Charlottesville victims in downtown Boca Raton on Monday, Aug. 21. (Carla Trivino /Mundo Hispanico Palm Beach)

Carla Trivino

One of those is Oscar Rodriguez of Boca Raton. He’s Mexican and a member of the Hispanic ministry at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. He wanted to support the community by attending the vigil with his son, Mariano.

From The Palm Beach Post: Religious leaders to mourn Charlottesville victims at Boca vigil

Rodriguez said he was lucky enough to never personally experience racism in the United States, but according to The Southern Poverty Law Center discussions on white supremacist website, Stormfront, are mostly centered around Latinos and African Americans.

Latin reporter Ilia Calderón of Univision experienced it first-hand while interviewing Ku Klux Klan leader, Christopher Barker.

Los espero en 5 minutos. Mi entrevista con KKK #EnLaBocaDelLobo. Contesto sus preguntas en el twitter de @AquiyAhoraShow pic.twitter.com/FXha6gfoG1

— ilia calderon (@iliacalderon) August 21, 2017

But hate didn’t discourage Latinos, they showed their support by attending vigils held around the nation in cities like Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

“We thought many things had changed in this country, but we realized that there’s people that still don’t have God in their heart,” Rodriguez said about why he attended the vigil. “They have resentment and that made us very sad.



Another Boca Raton resident expressed the same emotions when she saw the infamous footage of counterprotesters rammed by a car in Charlottesville.

Holocaust survivor Rosette Goldstein holds a candlelight during a vigil for Charlottesville victims in downtown Boca Raton. (Carla Trivino / Mundo Hispanico Palm Beach)

Rosette Goldstein is a Holocaust survivor from France who lost her family, including her father.

“I was crying,” Goldstein said. “It reminded me of what I had and why I had to go into hiding.”

The event ended peacefully and some went home with a spark of hope.

“This is the only country in the world that has done so much for so many,” Goldstein said. “I know America is good.”

Carla Trivino is a Mundo Hispánico reporter working out of The Palm Beach Post. For the latest news from Mundo Hispánico click here.

