SULLIVAN COUNTY -- Immigration continues to be an issue where many Americans stand divided. Unified perhaps in the belief the system is broken, but at odds when it comes to deciding how to fix it. A primary issue of contention is the separation of children from their parents at the border, and the conditions of the facilities where they're being held, with some elected officials considering them modern day “concentration camps.”

Last Friday, thousands across the United States participated in ‘Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps' protests — including in Callicoon and Liberty.

According to the Lights for Liberty website, the mission is described as follows... “We are a coalition of people, many of whom are mothers, dedicated to human rights, and the fundamental principle behind democracy that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. We are partnering with international, national, regional and local communities and organizations who believe that these fundamental rights are not negotiable and are willing to protect them.” It added that Friday's events would, “...protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants.”

Liz Bucar, a Sullivan County resident and activist, organized Callicoon's event, which had over 105 participants. Bucar acknowledged the divide in this country, but said, “What really matters are the things that Conservatives and Progressives, Democrats and Republicans share.”

“We all love our families and want hopeful futures for them,” she continued. “We need to talk, eye to eye, without politics getting in the way, about how to move forward for all our families. How does separating children from their families and keeping people, toddlers, babies in unsafe and unsanitary conditions make the world better for my granddaughter? How does it improve the world for any of us?”

Bucar hopes to get a group of people together with elected officials in an effort to find out, “how we get basic personal sanitary items, food and blankets to these kids.” And whether it's immigration or other issues, Bucar said it's important everyone finds a way to roll up their sleeves and start figuring this stuff out together because “too many of our elected officials seem content that we're divided. Right now, we all know the immigration system has been broken for decades, and we need to be less afraid and more compassionate, together, to fix it.”

New York State Senator Jen Metzger made an appearance at Liberty's event, which had between 80-100 participants.

“We were pleased with the number of people who turned out to protest the inhumane treatment of migrants to our country,” said Anne Hart, one of the Liberty event organizers. “We were also glad to have an opportunity to increase awareness of this issue and thankful that many residents joined us as we moved through the Village. I was one of the organizers, along with Annie Manzi, Kathie Aberman and a host of others who spread the word and offered to help. We're now working on our next steps.”