Motorists headed into Atlanta late Thursday or before daybreak on Friday probably noticed a huge, bright beam of light reaching skyward from the west side of downtown.

The light, just outside the Georgia Dome, was illuminated Thursday night as part of the Passion 2013, a gathering of young Christians that concludes Friday.

Thursday night, the 60,000 attendees held a candlelight vigil to draw attention to slavery and sex trafficking around the globe.

The light beam shooting straight up from the vigil could be seen from as far away as northern Cobb and Rockdale counties.

Passion 2013, which began on Tuesday for young people ages 18-25, ends Friday afternoon.

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC