Demonstrators gathered in one of nearly 800 national and international protests against the inhumane conditions reported from migrant detention centers along the southern border.

With the help of the nonprofit organization Lights for Liberty, 16 Syracuse organizations planned the demonstration, which occurred at the James M. Hanley Federal Building on South Clinton Street, with the goal to raise awareness and gather funds for local immigrant and refugee advocacy groups.

The event began at 8 p.m. with a speech from Yusuf Abdul-Qadir, the director of the Central New York chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

“We have an important task in making sure that history knows, when this moment came, that we said ‘We will not stand for it,’” he said.

Donna Moore, the co-founder of New Feminists for Justice, was one of the organizers of the event.

“We have a huge refugee population here in Syracuse, and I think that it’s important we let them know we are standing with them,” she said.

For some demonstrators like Melissa Vixtha and her children, the event was an emotional experience. ICE officers arrested Vixtha’s husband on May 22.

Vixtha left Mexico and came to the U.S. without legal permission over 20 years ago. Since then, he started the immigration interview process, received a legal work permit and driver’s license, and registered with Social Security.

“It’s not like he’s a criminal,” Vixtha said. “He’s done nothing but work every single day, weekends and all. All he did was to take care of his family.” ICE officials could not be reached to confirm the details of Vixtha’s case.

Speakers from local advocacy groups made a call to action, encouraging attendees to call their congressional representatives and demand the closure of the detention facilities. All speeches were translated into Spanish.

After sundown, hundreds of candles were lit and raised toward the stage as the Syracuse Community Choir sang “Somos El Barco,” or “We Are the Sea,” by Peter, Paul and Mary. The vigil ended with a reading of the names of detainees who died in custody.

Hundreds of other Lights for Liberty-sponsored vigils occurred across the world, with main vigils located outside of detention facilities and immigrant processing centers in El Paso, Texas; Homestead, Florida; San Diego, California, New York City; and Washington, D.C. 39 vigils were organized across the state of New York.