A decade after the death of Philando Castile, a crowd of over 100 people gathered in Falcon Heights for a vigil to honor his life and legacy. The event was one of two Restoration Day events marking the anniversary, with the second being the Unity Day gathering on July 7.

Restoration Day Events

Allysza Castile, Philando’s sister, expressed gratitude to the community for continuing to fight for her brother’s legacy and honor. Former state Rep. John Thompson, who spoke at the vigil, remembered Philando as a close friend and coworker in the St. Paul Public Schools.

Valerie Castile, Philando’s mother, reflected on the 10th anniversary of her son’s death, stating that the pain and heartache still feel like they happened yesterday. She also spoke about her advocacy work over the past decade, including the establishment of the Philando Castile Relief Foundation and the ‘Philando Feeds the Children’ campaign.

Community Advocacy

Castile has focused on supporting single mothers and has worked to provide free school meals for all students. She believes that her son’s legacy is valued by many and that his life has impacted a lot of people, inspiring positive change.

The community gathering on July 7 will feature free food and beverages, live entertainment, and children’s activities. The event aims to promote unity, conversation, and community connection.

Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.