Vigils held tonight in Milwaukee and Kenosha to honor victims in New Zealand mosque attacks

MILWAUKEE/KENOSHA, -- (CBS58) The tragedy in New Zealand hits close to home for the Muslim communities in southeast Wisconsin.

Special vigils will be held in both Milwaukee and Kenosha Thursday night to honor the victims.

Organizers are hoping to use these vigils as a way to stand up to the hate and intolerance seen in that terror attack.

They said they hope to show solidarity and support to Muslims here and across the world - something that's been echoed throughout the community ever since the shooting happened.

The President of the Muslim Student Association at Marquette University, Faezh Dalieh said at another vigil held earlier in the week, “The main message here is that a threat to justice to any justice anywhere is a threat to all of our humanity everywhere and that we should all come together no matter our background, no matter our race, no matter any belief. It's still a human rights issue at the end and at the end, we need to stand up for one another because together we're stronger."

All are welcome to attend either vigil.

The vigil in Kenosha will take place at 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church at 5900 7th Avenue. For more information, click here. 

The vigil in Milwaukee will be held also at 7:30 p.m.  at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee's Community Center on 8th and Layton. For more information, click here. 

A student march to the vigil will take place before that at 6:45 p.m. beginning on the corner of 13th and Layton. For more information, click here.