Gun Violence Vigil Set for Market Square

The groups Concerned Citizens Against Gun Violence and Organized For Action are hosting a vigil this weekend in Old Town Alexandria.

The "We Have Not Forgotten" candlelight vigil and rally for victims of gun violence is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Market Square, in front of Alexandria City Hall.

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille is scheduled to speak at the event around 6 p.m. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is also scheduled to attend, according to his office.

The event has been pulled together in response to the gun safety debate in Congress, said state Del. Rob Krupicka, who plans to attend.

The Senate voted 68-31 Thursday to start the debate on gun legislation, reports NationalJournal.com.

For example, The Washington Post published a story this week focusing on how suburbs are changing the gun debate, which reached a fever pitch after the horrific massacre in Newtown, Conn., this year when gunman Adam Lanza killed elementary school students and others.

The New York Times reports that U.S. senators are in rare accord related to the gun debate over mental health care.

Music, speakers and prayers are on the agenda for Alexandria.

Concerned Citizens Against Gun Violence collected more than 3,000 signatures and delivered them to the office of Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, urging him him to support background checks, limit the size of ammunition clips and support an assault weapons ban, reports McLean Patch.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own battery-operated candles or small flashlights.

For the quickest updates about Alexandria, "like" Old Town Alexandria Patch on Facebook and follow @alexandriapatch on Twitter.