Rev. David Anderson prays with a gathering at Copper Sky. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

In contrast to confrontational and even violent outcomes in Phoenix and other cities around the country staging protests after deaths of black civilians and the killing of five police officers in Dallas, Maricopa had a peaceful candlelight vigil Friday night.

City Councilmember Henry Wade sponsored the event at Copper Sky, and about two dozen people showed up to pray with Rev. David Anderson and light candles. They also expressed support for the Maricopa Police Department. MPD Chief Steve Stahl was the only law enforcement present, and he spoke only at the urging of the attendees.

Raquel Hendrickson
Raquel, a.k.a. Rocky, is a sixth-generation Arizonan who spent her formative years in the Missouri Ozarks. After attending Temple University in Philadelphia, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and has been in the newspaper business since 1990. She has been a sports editor, general-assignment reporter, business editor, arts & entertainment editor, education reporter, government reporter and managing editor. After 16 years in the Verde Valley-Sedona, she moved to Maricopa in 2014. She loves the outdoors, the arts, great books and all kinds of animals.