NYC Faith Leaders Mourn Victims Of Tribeca Terror Attack

FOLEY SQUARE, NY — Faith leaders from throughout New York City hosted a prayer service and vigil on Wednesday to mourn the eight people who died in Tuesday's terror attack in Tribeca.

Dozens of people joined leaders from multiple religions in Foley Square on Wednesday night to pray for cyclists and pedestrians who were killed and injured after police say Sayfullo Saipov drove a truck onto a Manhattan bike path.

Eight people were killed and another 11 were injured in what officials have called the deadliest act of terrorism in New York City since Sept. 11, 2001. Saipov, who authorities say was inspired by the Islamic State, was shot and wounded by an NYPD officer when he left his truck after the rampage. Just a stone's throw away from where the mourners were gathered on Wednesday, Saipov was brought into the federal courtroom in a wheelchair to face terrorism charges.

The vigil, which was hosted by multiple faith groups and religious leaders, brought together denominations from throughout the city to grieve for the dead and their families.

"We must use our actions to show those that would instill terror that we are tougher than they are," said Gale Brewer, the Manhattan borough president. "But we must be more than tough. We must tell those who would use this as a political opportunity, an opportunity for bigotry, one simple word: No."

Watch: New York City Terror Victims Remembered In Home Countries

Reverends, rabbis, imams and other leaders spoke about Tuesday's attack and led the mourners in prayer. Many leaders cautioned against backlash against Islam in the wake of the attacks. Saipov is believed to have been inspired by the Islamic State group. Authorities said they found a note written is Arabic which said, roughly translated, "ISIS will endure."

"This act is not an act of a Muslim," said Rev. Jacqui Lewis, of the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village. "This is not an act of Islam, this is an act of terrorism. This is no more Muslim than the KKK is Christian."

The vigil came just hours after authorities release the names of the eight people killed in the attacks. Six of those killed were foreigners, visiting the U.S. with friends and family. Five former classmates from Argentina were visiting New York City to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation. Anne Laure Decadt, a Belgian woman and mother of two, was visiting America with her mother and her sisters. One New Jersey resident, Darren Drake, and one Manhattan native, Nicholas Cleves, also perished in the attacks.

Cleves, 23, was believed to have been cycling at the time of the attack. His longtime family friend Bahij Chancey joined the vigil to mourn the loss of a man he described as "a really kind, intelligent, and curious person."

Chancey said that he and Cleves had grown up in Greenwich Village together. Chancey brought photos of Cleves, a software developer, to Wednesday's vigil.

"I wanted to put his face out here so that beyond being one of eight fatalities, so that there's a face and a name and a story behind these victims," Chancey said.

You can watch video of the vigil here:

Image credit: Ciara McCarthy / Patch