Emotions flow at Diag vigil

A diverse group of friends and strangers gathered together on the Diag last night to pay respects to Tamara Williams and unite against recent acts of violence and vandalism on campus.

The candlelight vigil brought out close to 2,000 people - despite bitter wind and racial barriers - to come together to make a difference in the University community.

"The time has come to cherish each other," said Rev. Dr. Charles Adams of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. "We must use Tamara's death to create a better life for us, no matter what our race, creed, or color."

Most of the students, faculty and friends stayed through both vigils last night. The evening began with a tribute to Williams and her family, which was followed by a speech by Michigan Student Assembly President Michael Nagrant concerning the recent incidents of violence and vandalism on campus.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily LSA junior Alice Teng holds a candle on the Diag in memory of Tamara Williams, who was stabbed to death Tuesday on North Campus. Teng was among the crowd of close to 2,000 people who attended the vigil last night.

Tamara's mother, Yvonne Williams, also attended the vigil. She spoke a few words thanking the University and students, but broke down in tears and was unable to continue.

"I just want to say that I really appreciate everyone's love and support that you have given me and my family," she said. "This is just so unreal."

Tamika Pennamon, Williams' best friend, comforted Yvonne Williams throughout the vigil.

"There's so much I want to say to her," Pennamon said. "You have to understand that I talked to her like up to four times a day. I miss her dearly."

Adams focused on the need to "learn to love women and to cherish children."

"Violence is not the answer to any problem," Adams said. "We must face the tendency to blame women for men's problems."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily LSA junior Kevin Jones and Kinesiology juniors Monica Cohen and Mikerra Bostic shield their candles from the wind during the vigil.

Adams also said he felt that laws designed to punish and prevent domestic violence are too lax.

"I hope her death pricks our consciousness," Adams said. "Law enforcement is too lenient against to those who are known to be repeated offenders against the health of women and children."

Rackham first-year student Rachelle Johnson, Williams' neighbor, organized the tribute to Williams.

"We need a commitment to action, a call to action," Johnson said. "Everyone who feels as though this community needs something more should be here tonight."

Rebecca Philips gave a personal testimony of her relationship with Williams. A close friend of Williams, Philips read poems from PRISM, a University publication, relating to Williams' domestic situation.

"We need to unite together," Philips said. "Do not be silent and sit by because silence is a form of compliance."

University President Lee Bollinger attended the vigil for Williams, and although he didn't address the crowd, said he felt it was important to show his support.

"It's important to learn from tragic events, but I'm not sure we're ready to deal with it," Bollinger said. "It's important to show public expression, remembrance and public support for (Williams') family.

"In every sense, this is something the community needs to be aware of. Let's mourn together," he said.

When the focus turned to recent hate crimes on campus, Nagrant beseeched the University community to "think of two steps of action you can take to prevent violence and hatred in our community."

Nagrant spoke of the recent vandalism at Mary Markley residence hall and of Queer Unity Project and Hillel Diag boards, as well as alleged racial comments made by an employee of the Nectarine Ballroom.

"We are all affected, because a community that excludes, a community that does not appreciate its differences, a community that does not allow its members to enjoy freedom, is a community that will perish."

Danielle Baker, president of the University's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter and an LSA senior, said she felt it was important to stress community action.

"The central thing that I want is unity, but not only that," Baker said. "We must learn to listen to the cries of others in silence.

"Although we are of different races, have different objectives in life, we're still here for one purpose, and that is to love one another," Baker said.

Nagrant said that despite the incidents he discussed, the crowded Diag last night showed a true unity and awareness on campus.

"I think (the vigil) demonstrates that our community is not apathetic to these kinds of issues," Nagrant sad. "There's a strong, strong community on this campus."

Mawasa Keita-Jahi, a Rackham fourth-year student, was one of hundreds of students attending the vigil on the Diag.

"I came today to show my support," Keita-Jahi said. "If you are just oblivious to things just because they don't happen directly to you, that is not right. You should not ignore it."

A poem for Tamara:

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