Hailey Owens’ Memorial: Over 10,000 Show For Tearful Vigil — Watch

Over 10,000 people showed up for an emotional candlelight vigil in memory of Hailey Owens, the little girl who was abducted and murdered in her own neighborhood. New video shows residents of Springfield, Missouri chanting and singing together — watch here. A touching memorial was held for 10-year-old Hailey Owens one week after she was abducted and murdered by local middle school football coach Craig Ford, 45, while walking home from school. Hailey's friends and neighbors were joined by over 10,000 people when they marched through the streets of Springfield, Mo. on Saturday, Feb. 22 in her memory.

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February 25, 2014 11:47AM EST
Hailey Owens Vigil
Image Credit: Courtesy Of KYTV, Facebook

Thousands Attend Candlelight Vigil For Hailey Owens

What was originally planned to be a private event quickly went public as thousands of friends, neighbors, and residents came together to march in honor of Hailey Owens. The Springfield Police Department in Missouri is reporting that an estimated total of 10,000 people gathered at the intersection of Campbell and Commercial Streets. The crowd, which also included a group of motorcyclists called Bikers Against Child Abuse, marched together for four blocks to the Jefferson Avenue Foot Bridge where they held a moment of silence. The bridge was lit up in purple

Westboro Baptist Church Backs Out Of Picket Plans

Shortly after plans for Hailey’s vigil were announced on Facebook, the Westboro Baptist Church wrote on Twitter that they would be picketing the event. The Westboro Baptist Church adamantly claims that God is allowing children to be murdered as punishment for the nation increasingly allowing homosexuals the right to get married in different states. The unaffiliated and highly radical church claimed this was the same cause for the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newton, Ct.

Thankfully, the church was a no-show at Hailey’s memorial where they would have been extremely outnumbered and dismissed by the thousands of residents in attendance.

Tell us, HollyMoms — What do you think of over 10,000 showing up for Hailey Owens vigil?

— Lauren Cox

More Hailey Owens News:

  1. Hailey Owens’ Best Friend Remembers Her: ‘She Was My Favorite Playmate’
  2. Elementary School Coach Charged In Death Of Hailey Owens, 10