A loose confederation of neighbors from the north side of Minneapolis used the longest night of the year for a candlelight vigil to protest the treatment of immigrants in the Twin Cities.
Not long after the winter solstice rolled into the upper Midwest on Sunday morning, members of the group stationed themselves near the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse in downtown Minneapolis.
There were never more than ten protesters on site at the same time, but someone was there every hour of the longest night of the year.
And the demonstration continues every hour until sunset on Monday.
Lex Martin was part of the 3:00 a.m.-to-noon shift.
“It was very peaceful when I came in,” said Martin, talking from beneath a kit cap and above a matching scarf to shield her against the cold on the first full day of winter. “It never felt scary or lonely having the light to hold us and people to support us.”
The group called the event “Lights On Minnesota” and had several goals, including calling for better treatment of immigrants being detained by federal agents.
“I think the most meaningful thing has been people walking by and saying ‘thank you’ or asking questions,” said Martin. “There’s a lot of symbolism in light, in darkness. Candles show up in so many faith traditions as symbols of hope, of peace.
“Especially this time of year.”
The group was also calling for an end of county jails in Minnesota being used as temporary detention centers.