People with disabilities, advocates, family members and service providers encircled the Rhode Island State House during a candlelight vigil at dusk Tuesday.

More than 2,000 protesters formed a “Circle of Hope.”.

They are protesting what they said is $24 million in funding cuts to services for the developmentally disabled.

Protestors included people with autism, cerebral palsy and other disabilities. They were joined by their family, friends and caregivers.

State lawmakers, trying to close a nearly $300 million deficit in the $7.7-billion state budget, reduced state reimbursements for transportation-related costs by about $4.5 million. They also cut millions by reducing reimbursements to service providers.

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