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Fear proliferates among African-Americans in Richmond after election

Posted at 10:03 PM, Nov 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-10 23:16:03-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- A chorus of fear, uncertainty and pain rang out inside the First African Baptist Church on Richmond’s Northside Thursday night.

Among the worried were Richmonders looking for spiritual guidance focused on hope and healing two days after the Presidential Election.

“We are hurting and we have broken hearts and we are crying,” Rev. Robert Winfree with New Life Deliverance Tabernacle said.

“We are now possibly faced with hell and destruction, incineration of generations of civil rights progress,” said Dr. Jerome Ross of Providence Park Baptist Church.

First African Baptist Church

First African Baptist Church

While many in the United States celebrate President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory, this group does not.

Yet, they’re still praying for him.

“Oh God tonight, we're praying for Donald Trump,” Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ with the Faith Community Baptist Church, said.

Attendees said they’re concerned about the President-Elect’s support for stop and frisk, as well as the racism they said his candidacy revealed exists among millions of Americans.

Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ

Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ

“We ask God that you will bless and release him from the fear and the low self-esteem issues he may have,” Dr. Gould-Champ said.

Religious leaders urged the crowd to turn to their faith to cope, and somehow by the end of the evening, tears turned to smiles and renewed energy.

“We don't understand all of it God, but we still trust you,” Rev. Winfree said.

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