Group Plans Candlelight Vigil For Elijah McClain On Saturday Night

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - An LED candlelight vigil is planned Saturday evening to honor Elijah McClain. We Shall Overcome, Now, vigil organizers, will gather at Utah Park starting at 5 p.m.

They plan to spell Elijah's name using hundreds of candles. The public is invited to bring white flowers, letters and artwork to honor him.

Justice For Elijah McClain Rally — AURORA, CO - JUNE 27: A woman holds up a sign as people rally outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters to demand justice for Elijah McClain on June 27, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado. On August 24, 2019 McClain was walking home when he was forcibly detained by three Aurora police officers and was injected with ketamine after officers requested assistance from the Aurora Fire Rescue. McClain suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital that night and died six days later. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

McClain died after being arrested by Aurora police on Aug. 24 of 2019. His death has become a focal point in a call for racial equality across the country.

MCCLAIN INVESTIGATION 6PKG.transfer_frame_612 — (credit: CBS)

The 23-year-old was walking home from a store when a passerby called 911 and reported that he was acting suspicious. McClain was wearing a ski mask, but was not armed, and had not committed a crime.

BLACKOUT AURORA ELIJAH MCCLAIN 10VO.transfer_frame_45 — (credit: CBS)

Officers confronted him, tackled him and placed him in a chokehold. Paramedics injected him with ketamine. He went into cardiac arrest and died three days later at a hospital.

The three officers involved were removed from their patrol duties in June.

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