People gather for a candlelight vigil in Sandwich, Mass. Photo: Tim Dunn / WBZ
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – People all over the country, and in Massachusetts, gathered to remember the January 6 Capitol Insurrection on Thursday.
Dozens gathered in Institute Park in Worcester to mark the one-year anniversary of the riot and called for change.
“What happened last January 6 was a crime,” one person said. “We use the power of our presence to push back on the lies. We are here to protect our democracy.”
Other protestors said the voting rights of every American should be protected.
“There is a systematic effort right now to undermine the will of the people to keep power and mostly wealth in the hands of few,” one person said.
"January 6 was a tragedy," another added, "so I’m out here to commemorate it and to hopefully spur people to action.”
About 50 people gathered for another vigil at Mill Creek Park in Sandwich. Organizers said the event was non-political and that people from both major political parties should come together against insurrection.
“We can’t forget what happened last year,” said organizer Margo Critchfield. “It was devastating for so many of us, regardless of where we fall on the political spectrum.”
State Senator Susan Moran was there and said the event was important “to lift up the importance of democracy.”
Other vigils on Cape Cod took place in Falmouth and at the Eastham-Orleans rotary on route 6.
Various Massachusetts legislators expressed remarks on the occasion, including Governor Charlie Baker.
“The despicable attempt on the part of former President Trump and his allies to undo what generations of Americans fought and died for,” Baker posted on Twitter. “The right to free and fair elections will stain this nation’s history forever.”
WBZ’s Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) was in Worcester:
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