Watch Hundreds Attend Chicago Vigil For Pittsburgh Shooting

CHICAGO — A prayer tree was assembled in Federal Plaza as hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil Sunday night in downtown Chicago to mourn the victims of Saturday's mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Speakers at the interfaith event urged people to continue coming together to stop the bigotry responsible for violence like this weekend's mass shooting.

"It's time for us to come together and stand together for justice," said South community activist the Rev. Michael Pfleger. "And we've got to condemn any acts of evil and this crazy rhetoric that's coming out of the White House that is setting an atmosphere for violence and giving an approval for hate and violence and bigotry in this country. We must stop this."

Eleven people were killed and six people — including four police officers — were wounded when Robert Bowers, 46, opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood Saturday, Oct. 27. Authorities say Bowers was armed with an AR-15 assault rifle and three Glock handguns.

Overarching themes out of Chicago’s vigil tonight:

☑️Love one another
☑️Stop the recurring tragedy of gun violence
☑️Vote#TreeOfLife pic.twitter.com/3RZrXME03x
— Nick Uniejewski (@nickuniejewski) October" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/nickunieje... 28, 2018

Names of the victims were released Sunday. The Anti-Defamation League described the 20-minute shooting spree as likely "the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States."

More Patch Coverage:

• 11 Killed, 6 Wounded In Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
  
• Pittsburgh Synagogue Victims ID'd; Gunman Wanted All Jews To Die
  
• North Shore Jewish Community Holds Vigils For Pittsburgh Shooting

In the wake of the attack, Chicago police will be "providing special attention to all synagogues" in the city, according to a statement by Supt. Eddie Johnson and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. While no threats had been made to local religious institutions, authorities will continue to monitor developments.

Emanuel spoke publicly about the attack earlier Sunday at Union Station, as well.

"Life is fragile, and in moments of joy you should remember life is fleeting and is fragile," he said through tears, according to WGN-TV

Vigils also were held Sunday in several North Shore communities, including congregations in Evanston, Wilmette, Glencoe and Northbrook.

Hundreds gather for a candlelight vigil Sunday, Oct. 28, at Chicago's Federal Plaza to mourn the victims of a mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. (Screen shot from video via Bill Morton Chicago | YouTube)