Students and community members gathered to remember the life of Laken Riley on Saturday.
Two years ago, the 22-year-old nursing student was murdered while running by Lake Herrick– just two miles from Tate Plaza at the heart of the University of Georgia campus. The Laken Hope Foundation and UGA’s Young Americans for Freedom held a 5K race and memorial service for her at Tate Plaza on Saturday.
At the service, rain poured down but attendees huddled under tents to hear from speakers like Riley’s younger sister, Lauren Riley.
“Laken was my best, best, best friend, and I just love her so much… She was like my mom. She was so motherly, and we just balanced each other out," Riley said.
U.S. House Representative Mike Collins, who sponsored a bill called the Laken Riley Act, also spoke. He said Riley’s parents gave him permission to use her as namesake for the immigration enforcement law.
“If it'll help save lives, so that there's a possibility another family has to go through this, then we'd be honored, and please do that," Collins said.
The memorial was called “Run for Your Life,” a name that sparked criticism both online and in the media. Derek Anglin is a Pastor at NewGrace church. In his sermon at the event, he said the name refers to a call in scripture to run for one’s Christian life.
“Like Laken ran for her Christian life. She's in a beautiful place today. She's not running. She's watching and cheering," Anglin said.
The event concluded with a worship service.
