Homage to Heather Heyer: Click for more >>

UPDATED, Aug. 16: Arlington residents, reacting to the violence and deaths resulting from a white supremacist rally held last weekend in Charlottesville, Va., have scheduled an event for First Parish in Arlington at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, and more than 100 people participated. Speaking was Senator Cindy Friedman, Democrat of Arlington.

"I was saddened and disappointed to learn of the hatred, violence and loss of an innocent life in Charlottesville over the weekend," she said in a statement the day before the event. "This does not represent who we are as a nation. I always have and always will stand tall with those who condemn hate and bigotry and will fight to defeat divisiveness in our communities.

"When we band together and unite for a common purpose, we can resist and overcome those who choose to persecute others in our society. There's more of us than them."

 These details were included in the Facebook post announcing the event:

-- Sign a Commitment to Change poster.

-- Write a postcard in support of a federal interagency task force on fighting hate.

-- Make a card of healing and support to the victims in Charlottesville.

-- Make a poster for Saturday's counterprotest and resistance rally in response to the gathering of white nationalists on Boston Common this Saturday. More info here >>

Around 6:45 p.m., we will gather together for a moment of silence singing led by Cantor Lisa Doob of Temple Isaiah. 

This event is co-sponsored by Vision 2020’s Diversity Task Group. All ages welcome. RSVP and read full details on a town news release.

Rally in Cambridge, looking ahead

Cambridge officials held a unity rally for on Monday, Aug. 14, at City Hall, 795 Mass. Ave., Central Square. Read a summary at YourArlington partner Cambridge Day >>  

Read an Aug. 15 follow-up story >>

Black Lives Matter Cambridge is taking more aggressive steps to counter a planned gathering of white supremacists on Boston Common on Saturday. For details, read Cambridge Day >> 

This news announcement was published Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, and updated Aug. 16.