Faith groups join together at SC State House for prayer vigil

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - There were calls for peace during heated rallies this weekend at the State House. On Sunday, faith leaders in Columbia are joined that call.

Local pastors, their congregations, and others from across the state held a prayer vigil Sunday. Some who attended Saturday's rallies returned to the State House because they felt the need to return for a more peaceful gathering.

Songs of prayer filled the south side of the State House on the very spot where the Ku Klux Klan rallied the previous day.

Mobile users, tap here to see photos from the rallies.

The Columbia organization Unity 4 Our Community was also there helping spur conversations between people who attended.

Many hope their actions will be seen as an example for other South Carolinians to follow.

"Really hoping people who aren't here who see this will think there is better out there," Karli Wells said. "It's not all lost, we don't have to continue in this place of despair."

"Hold hands together, form more of a stronger bond in Columbia, you know we're the capital city, we're the state capital, I think we should be able to be a really really strong community," Unity 4 Our Community member Andrew Heath said.

This prayer service was supposed to take place on Saturday, but organizers decided to move it Sunday after Gov. Nikki Haley asked South Carolinians to make the State House a lonely place for the hate groups.

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