Date & Time
Tuesday, April 1st, 2025
8:00-8:30pm
Location
Minnesota State Capitol Building — Outdoor Stairs
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
St Paul, MN 55155
Join Us for the First Annual Capitol Vigil Honoring Child Abuse Victims
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment—but in Minnesota, a child dies from abuse or neglect every two weeks. In 2024 alone, at least 20 Minnesota children lost their lives at the hands of their caregivers. These tragedies are not isolated incidents. Some children experience chronic beatings or sexual abuse leading to their deaths. Many more die in complex situations while in the care of adults with untreated addiction, family violence, and severe mental illness.
These deaths are entirely preventable. We can do better. We must do better.
Join us on April 1 at 8 p.m. on the stairs of the Minnesota State Capitol for a luminary vigil to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month. This tribute will honor the young lives lost to abuse and maltreatment, shine a light on the systemic failures that allow these tragedies to persist, and call for meaningful change to protect Minnesota’s most vulnerable children. The brief program will include remarks from Safe Passage for Children of MN, legislatures, and family members of children who lost their life to child abuse.
We will also be sharing more about our work and collaboration with Lives Cut Short, a national project devoted to documenting these deaths and uncovering the circumstances and policy choices that contributed to them. Together, we are amplifying the voices of the children who can no longer speak for themselves.
Let’s stand together—united in remembrance, action, and hope. Join us in speaking up for the children who have no voice. Because every child deserves a future free from harm.
Note: This event will take place outside. We will notify you of any location changes due to inclement weather.
Other Details
Maps
State Capitol Complex and Visitor Parking Map (PDF) – Full map of all buildings and parking and transportation options, including disability parking spaces.
State Capitol Building Floor Map (PDF) – Map of the Capitol building including restrooms, elevators, and water fountains.
Parking Options
- FREE PARKING is available in the Sears parking lot at 425 Rice St, St. Paul, MN 55103
- Ramp F – enter off Rice Street
- Lot Q – northeast corner of Cedar St and Sherburne Ave, enter from Sherburne Ave
- Street Parking
Visit the Department of Admin’s Public Parking page for information about street parking, disability parking, bicycle racks, EV charging stations, and more.
Public transportation
Several Metro Transit bus stops and Green Line light rail stops will bring you within a block of the Capitol Complex.
Accessible Parking & Drop-off
20 disability parking spots are located in the Senate Office Building for no cost. Coming from Rice Street on Sherburne Ave., take a right onto Capitol Blvd. and then another right into the parking garage. The door will automatically open when you approach it. Take the elevator to access the tunnel system and follow signs to the capitol.
Use the bus cut-out on Cedar Ave. for drop-off. Drop off and pick up on Cedar Street (east of Capitol) and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The ground floor entrance (under front steps) is wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility Statement
The State Capitol welcomes all visitors. We recognize the diverse needs of our audience and strive to offer accessible programming to enable all visitors to explore this historic site.
However, accessibility for guests with limited mobility can be challenging at our historic sites due to historic and natural features. With advance notice, we will make every effort to respond to access needs.
Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to guests before their visit to any of our sites and museums.
If you have additional questions about accessibility or other needs, please contact the Minnesota State Capitol at 651-259-3292 or statecapitol@mnhs.org.
Capitol Visits
Interested in touring the Capitol that day? There are free guided tours starting at the top of the hour and lasting about 45 minutes. You will learn more about the building’s history, art and architecture. Visit the information desk on the first floor.
Media Release:
By registering for this event, I hereby authorize Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota permission to use the voice, name and/or photographic likenesses of myself or the minor child/children I’ve registered for any and all media, worldwide in perpetuity such as but not limited to use in stories, photographs and video, including the editing, reproduction or reproduction of parts thereof for publication of said stories, photographs and film, in social media, online video, television, website and printed promotional materials distributed or published for or on behalf of Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota. I waive any right to inspect and approve the finished product or copy that may be used or the use to which it may be applied. I waive all claims for any compensation or damages for myself or the minor child/children for such use of said stories, photographs and video explicitly. I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Minnesota and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
Registration is appreciated but not required for attending.