Lincoln group hosts 12-hour prayer vigil to call for expansion of diversion programs

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — For twelve hours, groups of people gathered for a prayer vigil — all coming together for a larger purpose.

Sunday marks the longest night of the year, prompting the faith communities within the Justice in Action organization to stand up for change.

“The longest night is often a time of grief, right before the holidays,” Rev. Tobi White said. “There’s lots of loss, there’s lots of grief.”

From noon to midnight, almost 30 church groups gathered in front of the City-County Building to shine a light on the urgent need to expand diversion programs.

Justice in Action took the opportunity to explain how diversion programs can be beneficial in so many ways for the community.

“I feel that if some of these people who are incarcerated, for non-violent offenses, could have access to diversion programs, it would be much better,” Joyce Sohl said. “It would lighten up the population that’s sitting in our jails and reunite families.”

At the halfway mark, people from all over Lancaster County joined in for prayer, song and fellowship time.

And on the longest night, the 12-hour vigil can help uplift families and remind others to be kind this holiday season.

“That’s part of the goal of problem-solving programs, diversion, is to get people the help that they need in order to keep them from staying in the place that gets them into jail in the first place,” White said. “Hopefully it’ll remind everybody to get involved, to speak on behalf of folks who are in jail, to share their concerns with County Attorney Pat Condon.”