Philadelphia airport workers hold vigil for Brussels victims

By
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
The Philadelphia Airport held a vigil for the victims of the Brussels attacks.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It was a show of solidarity from thousands of miles away on Wednesday.

Workers at Philadelphia International Airport held a vigil for the victims of the attacks in Brussels, Belgium.

"We're just here to show support, let them know that there's people here who care. We want to make sure this doesn't happen here or anywhere else again," worker Alfred Williams said.

The group had planned to hold a strike to draw attention to concerns like pay, health and safety issues, but postponed it to hold the vigil to honor the 31 who died and over 200 others injured in the Brussels attacks.
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PHOTOS: Explosions rock Brussels
Solidarity messages are written in chalk outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A police officer directs passengers in a smoke filled terminal at Brussels Airport, in Brussels after explosions Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
The blown out windows of Zaventem airport are seen after a deadly attack in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
In this photo provided by David Crunelle, an injured woman leaves the scene at Brussels airport, after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday March 22, 2016.AP
A woman is evacuated in an ambulance by emergency services after a explosion in a main metro station in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
President Obama receives an update on the terror attacks in Brussels, Belgium. The President made the call from Havana, Cuba, March 22, 2016.none
In this photo provided by Evan Lamos, passengers clamber from a metro carriage after explosions in Brussels Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
People walk away from the broken windows at Zaventem Airport in Brussels after an explosion on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A woman places candles in the shape of a heart outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
Two women wounded in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A man is wounded in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
This photo shows the scene in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
''People wounded outside #maelbeek #metro #brussels''none
''Metro Maelbee, fumee apres explosion.'' (''Maelbeek metro, smoke after explosion.'')none
The scene in Brussels, Belgium following deadly explosions.none
A young girl looks out of the window of a bus after being evacuated from the Brussels airport.none
A police officer stands guard as people are evacuated from the Brussels airport.none
People stand near the Brussels airport after being evacuated following explosions that rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday.none
People comfort each other after being evacuated from the Brussels airport.none
A police officer, right, stands guard as people are evacuated near the Brussels airport.none
People stand near the Brussels airport after being evacuated.none
People react as they walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.none
People walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
People walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
People react as they walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.none
People walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.none
People react as they walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.none
People walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016.none
A still from Associated Press video of the scene inside the Brussels Airport following explosions on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A still from Associated Press video of the scene inside the Brussels Airport following explosions on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A still from Associated Press video of the scene inside the Brussels Airport following explosions on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
Smoke is seen at Brussels airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A still from Associated Press video of the scene inside the Brussels Airport following explosions on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP
A still from Associated Press video of the scene inside the Brussels Airport following explosions on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.AP


"It makes me uneasy because I'm also a Muslim and I don't want everyone to look at me like I'm a terrorist or something. I have children. I just want to feel safe," worker Mercedes Jones said.



These Philadelphia airport workers say the attack overseas is an all too real reminder of the dangers of their jobs.

They say this gathering of unity is a small gesture that will hopefully send a big message to Brussels that they are not alone.

"Our hearts go out to Brussels and everybody that was involved. May God be with every one of them and their families," worker Rachel Sirleaf said.

Workers do say they will reschedule the strike, but, right now, their main concern is for the victims of the attacks.
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