NAACP Plans March, Vigil to Protest Church Burnings

The NAACP is holding an Independence Day candlelight vigil and march tonight in Leimert Park in the Crenshaw district to increase public awareness of recent burnings of scores of Southern churches.

“This is something we feel deserves the immediate attention of all Americans who believe in democracy,” said Geraldine Washington, president of the Los Angeles branch of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People.

“The Fourth of July is supposed to be about celebrating America,” said Geoffrey Gibbs, chairman of the group’s political action committee. “This march is saying, ‘How can this be happening in America?’ ”

He estimated the march will draw 500 people.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Leimert Park, 4395 Leimert Blvd. Booths for voter registration and choirs also will be featured. At 7:30 a series of speakers will discuss the recent church burnings and marchers will begin their walk about 8:15 from the park to the West Angeles Church of God in Christ at Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards.

Washington urged the public to “bring the whole family, and candles and flowers and small flags” for the march.

The NAACP has also set up a relief fund for the churches that were destroyed in the arson fires.

Donations can be sent to: Church Destruction Relief Fund, c/o Los Angeles NAACP Branch, 3910 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 202, Los Angeles, 90008.

Information: (213 296-2630.