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Its just time for show of unity in Gainesville, residents say
Prayer gathering in square puts focus on avoiding tensions between police, residents
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Pastor Joab Rico of Gospel City Church joins others in prayer during a Unity Hour of Prayer held by Gainesville United and the Gainesville Police Department on the square Saturday in downtown Gainesville. The hour of prayer was specifically focused on teachers, police officers, community workers and leaders. - photo by Erin O. Smith
In a show of community and racial unity, a large group of people met in the downtown Gainesville square Saturday for an hour of prayer hosted by Gainesville United. At the event, a semicircle of people gathered around the “Old Joe” soldier monument to join in prayer with a scattering of different pastors, church members and community leaders. Among those attending were Pastor Efrahim Medina of Restoration Community Church, Pastor Evelyn Johnson of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Sgt. Kevin Holbrook of the Gainesville Police Department and Gainesville City Council member Sam Couvillon.