Protestors hold candles and signs during a vigil at the Lights for Liberty event. Photo by Sarah Sklar/Gazette Packet
Lights for Liberty Alexandria was one of more than 700 Lights for Liberty events happening across the country on July 12. The event, organized locally by Susan Davis, began with multiple speakers including former Mayor Allison Silberberg, current Mayor Justin M. Wilson, lawyers Francey Youngberg and Larysa Krautz, Alexandria Democratic Committee member Boyd Walker, state Delegates Mark Levine and Paul Kryzek, and City Councilman Mohamed “Mo” Seifeldein.
Following the speakers, who talked about their own experiences with the immigration process and how immigrants contribute to Alexandria, the names of 19 individuals who have died in Border Patrol custody were read aloud. Finally, a vigil was held to honor those who have died and those who are in detention centers at the U.S-Mexico border and other locations.