SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Government officials from across South Florida joined local religious leaders for a prayer rally in Southwest Miami-Dade following several days of demonstrations after the death of George Floyd.
The event emphasized unity and was held at Miami Baptist Association, located at 7855 S.W. 104 St., at 10 a.m., Friday.
The religious leaders who organized the event said they hoped it served as an example to the community that despite their varying faiths, they could join together.
“We’re reminding Miami and hopefully get the message out to America that we’re all one family,” said a pastor.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez were in attendance for the prayer rally.
“This will also, I believe, have an impact on all of us in the criminal justice system. Whether it’s a judge, or a juror, or defense attorney, or a witness, or a prosecutor, all of us together can really make it more far-reaching than it is felt to be now,” said Fernandez Rundle.
“If you want to go out and demonstrate with your friends and express your opinion, by all means, do so, but do so in a legal way that will not distract really from the message that we all agree with — that we need justice for all of the United States,” said Gimenez.
Pastors at the event spoke about how they hoped they could show the community the importance of working together to bring about change.
“What is the significance of getting together as brothers and sisters in Christ, across racial and ethnic lines [is] to stand and let people know that we’re standing against injustice, insensitivity, hate and discrimination,” said President of Florida Baptist Convention Pastor Erik Cummings.
Hours later, the Muslim Community Association and other religious leaders held a press conference at the Islamic Center of Greater Miami to speak out against racism and spread a message of standing for justice.
“We stand in solidarity with our black sisters and brothers,” said an imam.
“Today is about the soul of George Floyd and the countless others who were taken from this earth because of police brutality,” said a rabbi.
Joined by city officials and members of all faiths, leaders of the Miami Gardens mosque said they will continue to fight for justice in every community.
Miami Gardens Police chief Delma Noel-Pratt said she vows to do all she can as the city’s top official to teach her officers how to better police every citizen they come across.
“And I vow to you to continue to press upon my folks, my officers the importance of being professional out there, the importance of being respectable out there, and the importance of being humane,” she said.
Leaders said that regardless of religious beliefs, it’s going to take everyone to come together to see real change.
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