Vigil for Democracy draws about 200 to downtown Bradenton to mark Jan. 6 anniversary
On the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Capitol riot, Manatee County residents joined a nationwide rallying cry to uphold a peaceful and fair democratic process.
A Vigil for Democracy at the steps of the Manatee County Historic Courthouse in downtown Bradenton drew a crowd of roughly 200 on Thursday evening. It was one of more than 200 such gatherings planned nationwide.
The event was organized by Indivisible Manatee, a local political action group that aims to get residents involved in government and voting in elections.
Some who attended spoke of continued feelings of shock at what happened at the Capitol last year, when hundreds of pro-Trump supporters violently stormed federal grounds following the former president’s false claims that the presidential election had been rigged.
“These are still very challenging times, and the whole truth has yet to come out,” said Bradenton resident Sonya Bacon, 68, who was among the crowd. “It saddens me that even after a year we are still fighting to hear the truth.”
However, Bacon said she was encouraged by Thursday’s vigil.
“We don’t have to all have the same opinion, but to be able to come together civilly and express ourselves is a freedom that every American should enjoy, irrespective of political party or persuasion.”
They also shared visions for change. Organizers of Thursday’s event called on elected officials to pass several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting or expanding voting rights and fair elections in the U.S., including the Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Liv Coleman, Indivisible Manatee organizer and former state House candidate, accused Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state legislators of degrading voting rights through limits on early and mail-in voting, partisan gerrymandering and voter roll purges.
“We are here in Manatee County today to say we will not stand idly by as we watch these attacks on our democracy,” Coleman said in a speech. “We need to have the freedom to vote. To choose our elected representatives for ourselves, and not to have them chosen for us.”
Coleman and other speakers encouraged those gathered to throw their support behind voting rights legislation and contact their representatives on the issue.
Michelle Grimsely, president of the Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus and former state house candidate, also rallied residents to get involved in government at the local level.
“That is where we can have the most influence,” Grimsley said. “Decisions are made by those who show up about those who do not show up. This is why advocacy is important.”
In addition to the speeches, the crowd shared in a candlelight vigil and moments of prayer and music. Reverend James Golden, Manatee County School Board chairman, offered opening and closing blessings for the gathering.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 8:51 PM.