In the spring of 2008, a U of I student became the victim of a hate crime as he walked down Green Street with a few friends. Students mobilized to protest against the hate by displaying love with the first HUG-IN. People were stationed on corners in Campustown distributing flowers, candy, cookies, and dispensing free hugs. I remember how badly we wanted to attend but we had a prior commitment that went all night. This year, after the Break the Silence Rally, our students were begging me to let them go. We had another conflict. What they didn’t know is that I was already trying to figure out how to do both.

It was an amazing evening as we arrived at Green Street. It was more than I expected. Students decked out in balloons and big smiles hugging people walking by…it was awesome. Yeah, of course, it was awkward. Many people backed off from the offers of affection. Hey, it was a little weird for me. But the message is so important and so vital. The HATE must end.

I sat down on the steps of an apartment complex facing Pizza Hut to pray for people as they walked by…to thank God for the events of the day and for the progress we’ve seen in recent years. I looked up and to my surprise, some of the students from our ministry had commandeered their own corner and were doing the whole hug thing and passing out the treats. I thought it hilarious that one of our interns, who just a few years ago opposed the whole bridge building thing, was standing on a garbage can with a sign that said “FREE HUGS.” My my…will God ever cease to amaze me.

It was such an awesome feeling watching our students mingle, working for the same cause. When we saw some of our friends: Nate, Casey, Jeanette, Curt, Leslie, Brandon…others…it was just like a bunch of friends getting together. You know why? Cause we are. And I gave em all big ol hugs.

For more info on the initial assault or the Hug-In, click here