Civic and religious leaders will host a prayer vigil and public witness on Wednesday, May 14, in Washington D.C. in support of the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped last month by Nigerian militant group Boko Haram.
The vigil, which will be held at the Nigerian Embassy, will include speeches, prayers, and the presentation of 276 flowers as a sign of solidarity.
On April 14, Boko Haram invaded an all-girls school in Chibok, Nigeria and forced over 200 girls into trucks. The militants then drove off into the forest. 53 abducted girls were able to escape.
A second kidnapping occurred on May 4 when at least eight girls were taken from Warabe, Nigeria. Witnesses say Boko Haram went door to door, taking girls and assaulting anyone who tried to intervene.
Reverend Patrick Mahoney, vigil organizer and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, asked supporters to pray for a hedge of protection around the kidnapped girls.
"These are not just the daughters of Nigeria but they are our daughters also," he said in a statement. "As we gather in prayer and public witness, we ask God to intervene to protect and return these girls safely to their families."
Stanton Healthcare Founder and CEO Brandi Swindell stated that she plans to travel from Boise, Idaho to Washington D.C. to attend the prayer vigil.
"As I gather in front of the Nigerian Embassy in prayer and public witness, I stand in solidarity with my sisters across the globe calling upon God for mercy and calling upon the nations of the world to treat all women with equality, human rights and justice," she said.
"We cannot rest or be silent until they are safely returned home. Our message today is clear and simple. Bring back our girls!"
Rev. Kris Keating, Executive Director of World Horizons USA, will lead a prayer vigil in Nigeria that will be live streamed in D.C.
The vigil will be held from 9:15-10:30 a.m. ET at 3519 International Ct NW, Washington, DC 20008.
