After posting an outraged message on Facebook about the refugee crisis at the southern border, Peterborough resident Christine Halvorson joined a group of local women that all felt the same desire to do something.

Joining a national effort called “Lights for Liberty” in which towns across the country organize a vigil in support of the families being separated, the women organized a rally that will be held on the steps of the Peterborough Townhouse on Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Democratic presidential Beto O’Rourke announced in a press release Monday that he plans to join ‘Lights for Liberty’ Vigil in Peterborough Friday at 6:30 p.m.

“In Peterborough, Beto will join activists and continue to share the heartbreaking stories he has heard from asylum seekers who have been subject to the cruel and cynical policies of the current administration,” said Beto O’Rourke’s New Hampshire State Director Mike Ollen. “He has been outspoken in the fight against the Trump Administration’s inhumane policies towards migrant children and families, leading the movement to shut down Tornillo and using his platform in recent weeks to bring attention to the intolerable treatment of our fellow human beings fleeing violence in their home countries. This week, he will join us in New Hampshire to share his vision for a humane immigration policy written in our own image and urge Granite Staters to stand up and take action. Beto knows that in a democracy, where the people are the government and the government is the people, these inhumane policies are on all of us, and it’s up to us to change them.”

The rally is planned to include performances from local singing groups, and a march down the sidewalk, and speakers such as two youth representatives from Revolution Ethics.

“This is a humanitarian effort not a political one,” Halvorson said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the strength in numbers we are going to have.”

While typical Lights for Liberty events involve lighting candles on the scene after the sun goes down, the organizers of the Peterborough rally wanted to take a different approach. Candles will instead be handed out at the rally so that they can be lit at each participant’s home, widening the visibility of the event.

“I’m excited to bring people out of the woodwork to support the refugees who are doing no harm, just seeking asylum,” Halvorson said. “Seeing them locked up in unsanitary conditions is appalling to us and should be appalling to everyone.”

The other members of the ad hoc committee are Julie Zimmer, Karen Hatcher, Ann Lathan, Marie Cassady, Sarah Steinberg Heller, Kathy Anderson and Kate Coon.

For more information about the event go to www.lightsforliberty.org.