Verbal Hodgepodge of Hate at 'Nonpartisan' Oakland Vigil for Tucson Victims

[Geee]

Pajamas Media:

I just got back from a vigil held this evening in Oakland to honor the victims of the Tucson shooting. The vigil was held in front of Oakland City Hall and was advertised as being “a nonpartisan event” where we would solely “express solidarity with the victims” — which is why I choose this particular event to attend, so I wouldn’t have to endure a lot of malicious blame-mongering.

Unfortunately, the atmosphere was sullied by speaker after speaker — including Representative Barbara Lee and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan — who managed to avoid naming names but lashed out at vague villains who have “created an atmosphere of hate” through “violence-tinged speech and images.” Fortunately, these inappropriate partisan jabs were balanced by the more honorific speeches by various pastors and ministers from the Oakland area.