Community members gathered at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in State College Sunday afternoon for a silent vigil following the defacing of the Martin Luther King Jr. mural overnight on April 16 with imagery of a white supremecist group.
The image of King was allegedly stenciled with the words PATRIOTFRONT.US in a red substance with an insignia below. The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the State College Police Department.
Patriot Front was responsible for posting stickers at various locations around State College and Bellefonte on Jan. 7 to promote its group.
The silent vigil began with Faith United Church of Christ s lead pastor, Reverend Jes Kast, calling for attendees â regardless of their faith â to place their hand on their heart and ask themselves to consider what motivates them to stand up for justice.
Feb 15, 2021
James L. “Jim” Peachey, 91, of Spring Mills, passed away on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Born on Dec. 9, 1929, in Belleville, he was the son of Harvey L. and Anna L. (Hartzler) Peachey.
He is survived by his children Cedric H. Peachey (Sara) of Columbia, TN; Bryan J. Peachey and Ellen S. Peachey (Ken Lawrence Burg) of Spring Mills, PA; Donna J. Peachey of Colorado Springs, CO; their mother, Iris J. (Yoder) Peachey; grandson Matthew R. Peachey (Katie) and great-grandson Reed Peachey of Murfreesboro, TN.
Jim is also survived by three sisters: Lois Yoder of Harrisonburg, VA; Jane Diffenderfer of Reedsville; and Helen Yoder (Floyd) of Reedsville; and three sisters-in-law, Deloris Peachey of Belleville; Lois Peachey of Pipersville; and Janice Peachey of Burnham.
Members of the State College faith community attend a candlelight vigil held outside the State College Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 in State College, Pa. The vigil was held following the recent posting of white supremacy stickers around State College as an expression that Centre County is no place for hate.
Lily LaRegina
No Place For Hate: Centre County Solidarity Candlelight Vigil will be held Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at State College Presbyterian Church.
The event is hosted by State College Presbyterian Church; University Mennonite Church; Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State; and University Baptist and Brethren Church following the recent investigation of white supremacist stickers placed downtown by Patriot Front. This event is a time of gathering to recognize the humanity and dignity of all people through sacred readings, poems, prayers, and music, the event description on Facebook said. We will be expressing our solidarity in our belief that Centre County is no place for hate.