St. Paul, Minn.
The public service for the St. Paul, Minn., man lasted about 90 minutes at the house of worship, which sits high upon a hill on the edge of the capital city’s downtown.
Some of the departing mourners lined up on either side of the cathedral’s long stairs holding “Unite for Philando” signs as Castile’s casket passed by, while a drizzle began to fall and bells peeled. The casket was returned to the carriage for its trip to a private burial.
Gov. Mark Dayton, who suggested race played a role in the 32-year-old black man’s death, attended the service. Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison and St. Paul city leaders were among the more than 1,500 people on hand.
Many were dressed completely in white or black, and several wore T-shirts with pictures of Castile and messages, including “Rest in heaven” and “RIP Philando.”
Castile’s death came the same week as that of a black man in Louisiana, also from police gunfire. Their deaths sparked protests nationwide and intensified the long-running debate about how law enforcement interacts with blacks all around the country. At one protest in Dallas last week, five police officers were killed by a sniper who said he wanted to kill white officers.
The memorial was filled with songs, and stories and poems read by family members.
“(Castile) was a young, loving, handsome, giving, caring individual,” his uncle, Clarence Castile, said.
“I’m just amazed at how many people care about Philando and care about what happened to him,” Clarence Castile said as he looked out at the crowded cathedral. He urged family and friends to “stay strong for Phil.”
The Rev. Steve Daniels Jr. of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in his eulogy questioned why racial profiling still occurs in the United States. He said he grew up in Mississippi in the 1950s and 1960s and understands the frustrations of today’s protesters.
They want to feel respected, valued and are tired of being “wrongfully murdered,” Daniels said.
He also said he is thankful for police and their service, but said people need to find a way to come together.
Overall, faith leaders and musicians focused on messages of hope during the service, telling attendees that things will get better.
“This day will have been a good day,” the Rev. John Ubel said, if it brings people of different backgrounds together and gives them a “tiny measure of peace.”
The funeral program contained notes from family members, including sister Allysza Castile.
“My brother my hero, your heart was so pure and solid as gold … I love you forever and your legacy will continue to live on. You made history, you opened their eyes,” she wrote.
Diamond Reynolds, who live-streamed the aftermath of the shooting on Facebook, the video of which has been viewed millions of times, arrived dressed in black. Her 4-year-old daughter, who was in the back seat of the car during the shooting, played outside the cathedral before they entered. Reynolds left about 30 minutes before the service ended.
Castile’s mother, Valerie, appealed to everyone memorializing her son Thursday to refrain from giving interviews to reporters.
“Please, don’t turn this special occasion into a media circus!” she tweeted Wednesday. “Philando deserves that much respect!”