More than 70 people from throughout the region came to Brandon Park for a prayer vigil Sunday, in response to the neo-Nazi rally.

Quoting the recently deceased Georgia congressman John Lewis, Jordi Comas, with the Hub for Progress, said, “When something unfair or unjust happens, you have a moral obligation to respond.”

Prayers were said, and songs were sung to “reconsecrate,” Brandon Park for peace and love, he said.

“There’s different schools of thought and one, don’t give them any oxygen and that’s right, but that doesn’t mean there’s no response,” he said. “So this is the kind loving, nonviolent and righteously angry response that needs to happen because that hate is not welcome in this valley.”

All people were created to be one family as God intended, said Comas.

In less than 24 hours Comas helped bring the event together, many plans for which were scattered when the National Socialist Movement said they were no longer coming.

“One thing to learn is: Don’t trust Nazis,” he said.

Sharee Clark, of Wilkes-Barre, is a cousin of John Lewis’ and shared a few words of his:

“We must be bold, brave, courageous and push and pull until we redeem the soul of America, and a community at peace with itself so that no one will be left out because of race, color or nationality,” she said.

Father Kyle Murphy, pastor at Christ Episcopal Church said the turnout at the prayer vigil was representative of Williamsport, not Saturday’s march.

Although it’s about ideas, rather than numbers of adherents, Murphy said, “It does seem like there’s more of us than of them, and for that I’m grateful.”

The first step in retaliation should always be to reach out with love, which is the goal of the vigil, he said.

“If it isn’t about love, it’s not about God — it’s that plain and simple,” he said.

Melodie Russell, president of the Tri-County, said she’s looking for more membership in her group.

“We’re asking for your help, we’re asking for your solidarity,” she said.

Rev. Dr. John Charnock, director of UPMC pastoral care, prayed for strength among the community.

“The display of hatred, bigotry and racism on this very ground represents some of the worst of which we humans are capable,” he said. “This day and everyday, give us the courage to stand against oppression and in favor of justice.”

Following the vigil the attendees were invited to travel the neighborhood with flyers advertising activist events and QR codes for information on voting in elections.