Lansing - Adam Bartlett was among 300 Lansing Community College students and staff that paused just after noon on Thursday to sing “We Are the World,” and reflect on survivors and victims of Tuesday’s attacks.
Students received a dove, representing unity, pinned to white ribbons, representing hope, at the “A Time for Unity” rally at Washington Square on LCC’s campus.
“It is a pretty tragic time and a lot of people are confused,” said Bartlett, an LCC music student. “This brings people together and focuses on what is important in life, and this event has done that.”
Bartlett said almost everyone he knows has been affected by the attacks in some way.
“I have heard of a lot of people who were supposed to be involved and weren’t,” he said
Paula Cunningham, president of LCC, addressed the crowd after they sang.
“We are a community that stands together and we have not forgotten our values which are unity, tolerance, peace and love,” Cunningham said. “We stand by these values and stand tall as a community and nation.”
The words “May peace prevail on Earth” were inscribed on a peace pole in seven different languages and were the theme of the rally.
LCC counselors such as Louise Rabidoux, wore yellow ribbons and talked to community members about this week’s events. She said the variety of emotions people experience are normal feelings.
“There is a lot of shock and disbelief, a lot of tearfulness, angry outbursts from people you see on campus,” she said. “We are still seeing a lot of initial reaction.”
Rabidoux said students should maintain good eating and sleeping habits, turn off the television and take some time for themselves.
“Students having extreme reactions should seek professional help,” she said.
Representatives from the American Red Cross were on hand for students to sign up to give blood and donations to the relief fund. LCC’s branch of the national honor society Phi Theta Kappa assisted the organization.
Meg Vogler, an LCC student, wore a shirt she decorated with the words “Christ Jesus Loves You” and a pink heart with a symbol in sign language that said “I love you.”
“We’re praying for peace and for people to find relief and an answer,” she said.
Vogler said prayer has helped, but she’s still shocked.
“I keep thinking it’s a dream I’m having and that I’m in a movie,” she said. “It’s like I’ve fallen asleep with the TV on.”
