Photos of the Charlottesville Candlelight Vigil: ‘Our Home, Not Their Home’

 Thousands of people came together last night to honor Heather Heyer, and stand in solidarity against white nationalists and hatred, at the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville. 

 The vigil was strikingly different than Saturday’s horrific scene, as marchers sang songs of peace by candlelight, including “This Land Is Your Land,” “Amazing Grace,” “Lean on Me” and “This Little Light of Mine.” The event was organized by word of mouth was kept off social media to avoid potential clashes with white nationalists. 

 “We're standing in solidarity,” said attendee Karunya Iyappan, “This is already our home, not their home. This is our land, and nobody can take it from us.” 

 Students retraced the steps to last weekend’s violent march, while one student read Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise.” 

 The vigil was held shortly after Heather Heyer’s memorial service, where Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, spoke of Heather’s values and courteousness to stand up for what she believed in, “They tried to kill my child to shut her up,” Ms. Bro said. “Well, guess what — you just magnified her.” 

 Photos below were taken by Jason Lappa for The New York Times. 

 You can read the full article here on the New York Times.