Several local cultural groups are organizing a candlelight vigil to protest the treatment of detained migrants around the U.S.
Galesburg’s town square will be where the public is invited to gather at 8:00 p.m., with several community leaders speaking. Then at 9:00 p.m. candles will be lit in silent vigil for migrant asylum seekers in detention centers in the U.S.
They say that concerned citizens, community leaders and advocates from local organizations will gather to speak on detention camps in the U.S.
It’s all a part of “Lights for Liberty” a loose affiliation of activists and largely progressive advocacy groups, like CodePink, the Women’s March, some with a religion bent like Faith in Action
Speakers locally will include Knox County Board Chair Pamela Davidson, former alderman Jeremy Karlin, and Knox College Director of Spiritual Life Reverend Monica Corsaro among others.
Although many will inevitably view the demonstration through a political lens, Corsaro sees it through the lens of her faith.
“I’m actually an ordained minister and I’m looking at this as this is the gospel being run amuck,” Corsaro tells WGIL. “Matthew tells us if somebody needs to be fed, we feed them. If somebody is thirsty, we give them something to drink. Is somebody needs sanctuary, we give them sanctuary.”
She says that most Americans are or have descended from immigrants who came to the U.S. when in Corsaro’s words, the U.S. had a good immigration policy.
David Amor says ideally this is not a political issue even though the response to it has to be political.
He calls on citizens to put pressure on Congress and the Trump administration to retool policy.
Over 600 vigils are planned around the country Friday.
