Thousands attend student memorial
A memorial service in honor of the five students killed in the Feb. 14 shooting at Northern Illinois University drew thousands to the DeKalb campus, where classes will resume today.
“This past week, I have seen despair and I have seen hope,” university President John G. Peters said. “I have seen deep sorrow of the five victims’ families, but I have seen your courage and I have seen your strength.”
The memorial was also simulcast to NIU gatherings across the country and in Iraq.
Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich talked briefly about each victim. Others who spoke were DeKalb Mayor Frank Van Buer and Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who said he was speaking for the state’s entire congressional delegation.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) sat onstage during the proceedings but did not make any remarks. He later met with the family of at least one victim.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
