Wind-whipped candles, shared flames and the sound of ‘This Little Light of Mine’ filled the lawn outside West Hartford Town Hall during a Sunday night vigil calling for the protection of democracy. 

By Mia Jaworski

Dozens gathered outside West Hartford Town Hall on Sunday night for “Light the Night for Lady Liberty,” a patriotic-themed vigil calling for the defense of democratic values and a stand against what organizers described as authoritarian actions by the Trump administration.

Hosted by the national and Connecticut grassroots organization 50501, the event featured speeches, musical performances, and a candlelight vigil. 

Attendees dressed in red, white, and blue to close out the Fourth of July holiday weekend while calling attention to what organizers say is an urgent need to protect the Constitution, end executive overreach, and uphold civil and human rights.

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford) addressed the crowd, urging attendees to reflect on the meaning of liberty.

“Take tonight to be kind, feel your heart and your soul,” Gilchrest said. “Then tomorrow think back to the definition of liberty, and commit to fighting for that country.”

“They operate in fear, we operate in courage,” she added.

“It doesn’t need to be a big protest to support our democratic rights,” said West Hartford native Nancy Scanlon. “It was simply nice to see so many of our neighbors be as charged as I am.”

The vigil included musical performances such as a flute rendition of This Land Is Your Land, a trumpet solo of Taps, several vocal performances, and a recording of Barbra Streisand’s Lady Liberty. Carly Corrigan, a Connecticut 50501 organizer, opened the ceremony.

As the evening progressed, attendees lit candles from a box of 200 and joined in singing “This Little Light of Mine” and “We Shall Overcome.” Many huddled together against the wind, which eventually snuffed out most of the flames as the event came to a close.

Connecticut 50501, part of the national 50501 organizing network, is planning another day of action on July 17. The upcoming event, “Good Trouble Lives On,” is expected to take place in eight towns across the state and is part of a broader national response to what organizers describe as ongoing threats to democratic institutions.

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