Candlelight Vigil In Houston For Capitol Insurrection Jan. 6

HOUSTON, TX — More than 200 candlelight vigils, including one in Houston, will take place across the nation to remember the anniversary of last year's U.S. Capitol insurrection.

The anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot falls on Thursday. The event will take place at the Mickey Leland Federal Building on 1919 Smith St. in Houston from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There also will be a voter registration drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Katherine Tyra Branch Library at 16719 Clay Road.

The organization asks people to "join us in the fight to protect the basic freedom to vote" at the "Stand Up for Democracy" event.

• SEE ALSO: Jan. 6 Insurrection Anniversary: Ceremonies To Attend In Texas

Last year, a mob of President Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress met to certify President-Elect Joe Biden's electoral victory. Five people died either before, during or shortly after the event, including one person shot by Capitol police, another from a drug overdose and three who perished from natural causes.

Four officers who responded to the attack died by suicide within seven months.

To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, advocates are demanding that elected leaders pass urgent legislation including the Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood.

• SEE ALSO: Texas Police On The Lookout On Jan. 6 Insurrection Anniversary

This isn't the only anniversary event happening in Texas. There will be vigils in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. For more information on where to find vigils near you, visit www.jan6unityday.org.