Star Herald: Lights for Liberty protests immigrant detention centers

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Lights for Liberty protests immigrant detention centers

People gather in silent protest of the detention centers at the U.S.-Mexico border during LIghts for LIberty event on Friday, July 12, in Presque Isle. Staff photo by Nina Mahaleris

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — People from far and wide gathered together on Friday evening to protest the treatment of immigrants at detention centers all across U.S. borders. 

Lillie Lovado, owner of HardScrabble Solutions on Main Street, organized the meeting and invited participants to an open discussion about the challenges immigrants face when seeking refuge in the United States. 

On a Facebook post of the event, Lovado wrote, “We will gather … in a show of solidarity with others in the streets protesting the inhumane conditions imposed upon immigrants by the US government.” 

About a dozen participants met at the HardScrabble Solutions business downtown. One man came from Quebec to take part in the Lights for Liberty event.

 “I’m here because I’d like to support the kids,” he said. 

Lovado planned the event as part of a larger, nationwide vigil to refugees led by the Lights for Liberty organization. The national group scheduled vigils at dozens of locations all around the country, including one in Presque Isle, Orono, Portland, Skowhegan and Lewiston. 

Link: https://www.thecounty.me/2019/07/13/news/people-join-in-protest-of-immigrant-detention-centers-during-lights-for-liberty-event/