CLARION, Pa. — Lights for Liberty, a nationally organized vigil against the treatment of the refugees seeking asylum, was held on July 12, 2019, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in front of the Clarion Free Library.
According to a release issued by the organization, more than 75 concerned citizens from Clarion, Clearfield, Jefferson, Mercer, and Venango Counties joined with tens of thousands worldwide in “voicing outrage over horrific conditions and inhumane practices being used by border guards at detention facilities at the U.S. southern border and in other locations. Over 750 similar events took place concurrently in all fifty states and several foreign countries.”
The program for the Clarion event included speeches from representatives of the three host groups: the Progressive Faith Coalition, Protect Environment and Children Everywhere, and Indivisible We Rise — West Central PA.
In addition, interludes of music and poetry inspired attendees to contemplate how they could convert their outrage, over viewing children separated from their families, into positive action by educating themselves on the issues, calling and writing elected officials, donating to relief organizations, and volunteering with one of the host groups.
One attendee stated that they are tired of hearing the claim that those trying to come into the U.S. are just a bunch of criminals that are breaking the law by trying to sneak across the border. Several speakers clarified that U.S. laws state specifically that refugees fleeing violence have the legal right to request refuge. The overwhelming majority of immigrants are merely trying to help their families escape unbelievable threats and violence.
Janice Horn from the nonpartisan League of Women Voters read the national group’s statement on the issue: “We support federal immigration laws that provide efficient, expeditious systems for immigrants to enter the United States. Seeking asylum at points of entry into the United States is part of our legal immigration process and assaults on asylum seekers are un-American. The League of Women Voters stands in solidarity with immigrants and our partners in the immigrant rights community. The 116th Congress must take immediate action to pass common-sense, fair immigration policies.”
Special attention was given to make people aware of PA’s largest detention facility in Berks County where children as young as two-weeks old have been incarcerated for periods from two weeks to two years. Six volunteers read statements from former Berks detainees.
From Sofia, a mother detained for nearly two years with her son came this statement: “For more than 600 days we were there and we have seen the reality of how the center works and it is not a safe house. It is a prison. My ask to the Governor of Pennsylvania, is please, he has the power, he can call to have the center closed. He should do it so that no mother, no child, no father has to go through the suffering we went through in that place.”
With reports of documented abuses being made public, the facility is under close scrutiny and was the site of one of the largest demonstrations in the country during the Lights for Liberty event.
The vigil ended with candles being lit as a symbol of light conquering darkness. The Rev. Melinda Hall, of the Progressive Faith Coalition, led the closing ceremony.
When asked why she chose to become involved with Lights for Liberty, Rev. Hall responded: “Because love of God and love of others go together, faith has political ramifications. Love of one’s neighbor isn’t abstract; it involves how we live together and that involves policy and politics. Policies that undermine justice and deny human dignity are unacceptable and must be challenged.”
Attendee Braxton White summed up the evening by telling organizers that “This…is a human decency issue, and it’s a shame that our elected officials declined or ignored requests to attend and stand with us in solidarity against human rights violations. Humanity is simply not something we can afford to be neutral on.”
