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Local groups, church urge Ferguson residents to end rioting

ORLANDO, Fla. — While the violent protests continue in Ferguson, Missouri over the police shooting death of Michael Brown, people in central Florida are praying for it to end.

Faith in Florida leaders and Freedom Hall Church of the Living God held a vigil Wednesday night to spread a message saying rioting and violence isn’t the answer.

“Tonight we decided that we were going to stand together for the victims of Ferguson,” said Pastor Norman Wilson. “The purpose of this vigil is so that we can practice forgiveness. What’s happening in Ferguson is not right, but what the people are doing is not right either.”

Wilson was referring to the rioters throughout the St. Louis suburb who want to see the officer that shot and killed Brown arrested.

“Those people are destroying some property that people have worked all their lives for, so violence don’t help (stop) violence,” Wilson said.

Wilson said groups associated with the one at his church held the same vigil throughout the United States with a similar message.