Dozens of people gathered at Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton Monday night, in honor of those who have set themselves on fire in protest of the Chinese government’s occupation of Tibet.

The names of Tibetans were on display at the candlelight vigil, commemorating those who have died by self-immolation as a form of peaceful protest since 2009, according to event organizers.

Such protests have increased since that year, as 95 Tibetans have committed self-immolation and 76 of those have died, according to Kalsang Dorjee, a Tibetan native who organized and attended the vigil.

The Chinese government took over Tibet in 1959, sending the country’s religious and political leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile in neighboring India. Since then, China has been criticized by international human rights advocates for its treatment of the Tibetan people.

According to a statement released by Kalsang Dorjee: “Tibetans are fighting for their religious freedom and human rights and they are doing this by following a non-violent path … Instead of listening to the genuine grievances of Tibetans, the Chinese government has hardened its stance and now punishing the family members of those who attempt self-immolation.”