Jan. 6, 2022 marks one year since a faction of elected officials incited armed right-wing militants to attack the U.S. Capitol. One year later, the same faction is working to restrict the freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections.

On Thursday Jan. 6, Americans across the country, and across race, place, party and background, will be participating in candlelight vigils for Democracy to say: in America, the voters decide the outcome of elections; and the actions of Jan. 6 of last year can never happen again. To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, advocates are demanding that elected leaders pass urgent legislation including the Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

A local vigil will be held at 5 p.m. in Veterans Park in Newcastle.

To promote safety given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all actions will all take place outdoors with masks required and physical distancing.