Prayer vigils in Virginia call for end to death penalty Jan 26, 2021 catholic news service Participants take part in a Jan. 22, 2021, prayer vigil to end death penalty in Norfolk, Va. (Credit: CNS photo/courtesy Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.) At some of the prayer vigils for an end of the death penalty in Virginia Jan. 22 -- held in locations across the state, including sites where lynchings took place -- the names of those killed were read aloud. WASHINGTON, D.C. — For Stephanie Niedringhaus, it was all about the names. At some of the prayer vigils for an end of the death penalty in Virginia Jan. 22 — held in locations across the state, including sites where lynchings took place — the names of those killed were read aloud.