Candlelight Vigil Honors Those Killed by ICE

By Julia Caulfield

January 29, 2026

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A group of people holding candles gathers outdoors in a snowy mountain town at dusk, participating in a candlelight vigil that honors loved ones amidst the serene beauty of ice and snow.

Nearly 100 members of the community gathered at the San Miguel County Courthouse on Wednesday for a candlelight vigil remembering those who have been killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Amy Levek, co-founder of Telluride Indivisible, which organized the vigil, said the event was rooted in community and shared concern.

“I think what’s happened in Minneapolis has shown us how important community is,” Levek said. “When you look at how they’ve supported each other, how they’ve been taking care of their neighborhoods, how they have really looked out for what they need as a community – I think we need to bring some of that here.”

Organizers passed out cloth armbands with painted broken hearts on them. Levek said the armbands are a physical representation of the group’s grief.

Andrew Oldham, who was in the crowd, said he came to show solidarity with those he says are more directly impacted by ICE actions.

“Really just give some peace, maybe, to some of those in our community that may be undocumented and worried, knowing that the rest of the community stands behind them,” Oldham said.

Payton Crosby agreed, saying it’s important to broaden the conversation around ICE within Telluride.

“Sometimes in this town, the focus is not what’s going on outside of Telluride. It can be a bubble sometimes,” Crosby said. “Bringing conversation into this bubble is really important. Also knowing that if ICE were to come back to Telluride, we have a strong community here that would be able to rally together here and protect our community members.”

Crosby, who is from Minneapolis, said she is grateful to stand in community while witnessing events back home.

“Just seeing what’s going on at home has been really sad. It’s really nice to be in community and know there’s a way to be with people right now and show support for the people of Minneapolis,” she said.

As night fell and the candles glowed, members of the community read the names of those who have died by ICE in the past year.

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