July 12, 2019

Lights for Liberty Protest

Dozens of protesters gathered in conjunction with Lights for Liberty, a worldwide demonstration Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

Willow Rieger, 6, yells "children don't belong in cages!" to a passing vehicle while demonstrating with dozens of other protesters Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

Cape Girardeau resident Landon Reed holds his 1-year-old son, Leon, who holds a sign protesting U.S. immigration policy, specifically the subpar conditions in detention camps housing children, during a protest held at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in conjunction with the Lights For Liberty worldwide protest Friday, July 12, 2019. 

Travis Clayton holds a candle and sign while demonstrating with dozens of other protesters Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks. Clayton, a local teacher, said he attended the protest "because hurting children is wrong. It's just that simple." "This [current U.S. detention policy] is evil. Everyone knows it's evil. How many times have we done this only for the next generation to come up and denounce it?"

Willow Rieger, 6, holds up a peace sign to passing traffic while demonstrating with dozens of other protesters Friday, May 17, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

Doug Job, pastor at Abbey Road Christian Church, waves to traffic with an American flag while demonstrating with dozens of other protesters Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

Steven Piker, left, lights a candle for Anne McDonough, right, and Leslee Pollina (not pictured) while demonstrating with dozens of other protesters Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

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Dozens of protesters gathered in conjunction with Lights for Liberty, a worldwide demonstration Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

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