Afghan Philadelphians Condemn Violence and Honor National Guardsmen at Vigil
In a moving candlelight vigil at Spruce Street Harbor Park, Afghan community members in Philadelphia came together to honor two National Guardsmen and condemn all forms of violence, emphasizing unity, compassion, and shared grief.
Members of the Afghan Philadelphian community held a candlelight vigil on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at Spruce Street Harbor Park to honor National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe. The gathering aimed to show solidarity with the victims, who were ambushed and shot on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C., by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
“We are gathered to express our deep sympathy and unwavering solidarity with the National Guardsmen and with their families and loved ones who are feeling the weight of this tragedy,” said Farhad Wedee on behalf of the Afghan community. “We gather, first and foremost, to honor the victims; those injured and those whose lives were tragically taken, their families, their loved ones in the community of Washington D.C., are in our hearts this evening.”
Beckstrom and Wolfe were members of the West Virginia National Guard, deployed to Washington, D.C., by President Donald Trump. According to the West Virginia National Guard, Beckstrom died on Nov. 27 at age 20. She enlisted in 2023 and “served with distinction as a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company.”
Wolfe remains hospitalized. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Wolfe’s parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and that “he’s beginning to look more like himself.”
Speakers at the vigil condemned the violence and emphasized the core values of the Afghan American community.
“Our community is rooted in compassion, service, peace and contribution,” said Wedee. “These are the values we brought with us to America, and these are the values we teach our children. We condemn violence in every form. We stand with what is right, always.”
Another speaker, Wali Rahimi, who has lived in the US since 1996, reflected on his own experiences.
“Since the day I was born and started walking, I remember hearing bombs, explosions, and killings,” Rahimi said. “All these were reasons for me to move to this country to seek for a better life, and for a better hope for me and my family. This country gives people like me everything that we hope for.”
Rahimi also stressed that Afghan refugees who arrived after the fall of the Afghan government in 2021 should not be blamed for the shooting.
“Because of the act of one individual, we cannot punish the whole community,” he said. “There’s no words to express the cost of loss for Sarah and Andrew’s families. Nobody understands this more than Afghans, because whoever is standing here and around the world, they've been losing family members, sons, daughters, sisters, neighbors, cousins, due to violence.”
Rahimi additionally mentioned that efforts to reject violence begin within the home.
“Condemning it should start from your family,” said Rahimi. “Your voice will reach outside and reach to the public, to everybody else that hears it. It always starts from yourself and goes to your kids. The message is very clear - that violence has no place anywhere in the world, especially in this country. Where we all live side by side with people of all religions, races and backgrounds. The best way of living is peacefully and staying away from the people who are going toward that direction.”
Additionally, former Manager of Welcome & Community Services for Nationalities Service Center (NSC), Adi Altman recited a letter written by a member of the Afghan community to Governor Morrisey. The letter expresses condolences and affirms that Afghan Americans do not stand for this act of violence.
“Such incidents stand in stark contrast to the values of safety, dignity and respect that Americans and all peaceful communities uphold,” the letter stated. “Acts of violence, regardless of their core, threaten the fabric of our shared society and must be completely rejected with unity and resolve.”
After the remarks, the attendees walked to the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, placing their lit candles at the top of the steps in remembrance of the victims.
“I think the most important thing was to show our empathy and to show to the community that we were also devastated and saddened by this tragic event,” said Hekmat Nafi, one of the organizers. “We wanted to show our sympathy to the families of the victims, to the National Guard community and to our neighbors here in Philadelphia.”
Nafi also expressed gratitude to the many resettlement agencies that have supported Afghan families, including HIAS, Catholic Social Services, Bethany Christian Services, and the Nationalities Service Center.
Those in attendance included members of the Afghan community both longtime and newly arrived, as well as refugee sponsors, staff from the resettlement agencies, American Red Cross members and Philadelphia government workers.
“As a National Guardsman, it's been important for me to be part of this to show solidarity with my Afghan brothers and sisters,” said Philadelphia’s Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Charlie Elison. “But also, to appreciate that as many things are happening now on a national level with our immigrant communities, that this community is still willing to come out and show solidarity for a very important cause and rally around this tragedy to reflect on what happened, but hopefully also continue to make our country a better place.”