Editor’s Note: Due to the university shutting down on Tuesday and Wednesday for Hurricane Idalia, the university told Spinnaker they would communicate a new date for the community gathering soon.

The University of North Florida announced they will hold a community vigil on Tuesday to grieve, heal and support the community after a racist shooting left three dead in New Town on Saturday. 

Happening the same weekend commemorating the anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday, a white man with a manifesto and a swastika-emblazoned assault rifle shot three Black people in a Dollar Store near Edward Waters University, a historically black university. 

UNF is working with the City of Jacksonville and Edward Waters leadership to provide resources and support to members of the Jacksonville community impacted by this tragedy, wrote President Moez Limayem in a campus-wide email Monday afternoon.

“At UNF, we continue to embrace Dr. King’s dream, and we are committed to ensuring that Black members of our community have a sense of belonging where they are safe, valued and supported,” Limayem said.

The university will host a community gathering on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom D. 

If you are in need of mental health counseling, visit the Counseling Center here.

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