People in Johnston County are still reeling from racist remarks made about Hispanics by the sheriff.

On Sunday, a crowd of about 150 people gathered in Smithfield to try and address the issue at a prayer vigil.
 
Earlier this month Sheriff Steve Bizzell came under fire after he was quoted in The News and Observer as calling Mexicans "trashy" and saying illegal immigrants were "breeding like rabbits."

Bizzell has since apologized for his comments.

Still, Latino advocacy groups and civil rights organizations are calling for his resignation.

In a lot of ways, Sunday's vigil outside the Johnston County Courthouse had the feeling of a 1960's civil rights demonstration, with the crowd singing “We Shall Overcome,” and more than a dozen law enforcement officers on hand to make sure things stayed peaceful.

"Regardless of what hateful comments were made, we're all created equal and we have the same God,” said Ricardo Correa, a pastor who addressed the crowd.  “And we will be praying for all wounds to be healed."

Organizers were praying for a sense of reconciliation within the community, and hoping to ease tensions around Johnston County. 

Correa and other organizers weren't just happy with the size of the crowd, but with the diversity as well: there weren't just Hispanics, but whites and blacks; Christians and Muslims.

"Discriminatory comments just have no place, really, especially coming from elected officials.  It's a very simple premise: all people are created in the image of God," said Chris Liu Beers, who also participated in the vigil.

The event wasn't without its detractors: several dozen people turned out in support of Sheriff Bizzell.

"They're talking about joining hands; two people can make a difference.  We got three right here supporting Steve Bizzell,” said Harvey Watkins, from Princeton.  “I know there's plenty more all the way down."

Most of the sheriff’s supporters watched quietly from across the street or near the back of the crowd, but a few tried disrupting the vigil by circling the block on motorcycles and revving their engines loudly as they cruised past.

"At the end of the day, we can speak louder than noise, because we got truth on our side,” said North Carolina NAACP president Rev. William Barber II.  “That doesn't deter us."

Most of the vigil centered on being positive about the situation, but there were a couple times when people suggested again that Sheriff Bizzell step down.

Sheriff Bizzell has made no indication that he will resign, and he's got the support of Johnston County Commission chairperson Cookie Pope.