Groton — A few dozen people showed up for a vigil here Saturday evening outside the Islamic Center of New London to show support for the facility a day after a hate crime investigation was opened there.

On Friday morning, an envelope containing a white powdery substance was delivered to the Islamic Center, prompting the police investigation of the incident as a hate crime.

In response, a Representative Town Meeting member and her family began planning the vigil for Saturday.

The vigil — which also served as a meet-and-greet of sorts for residents to get to know the mosque, according to organizer Autumn Hanscom — was held at 6:30 p.m. at the 16 Fort St. center. The public was invited to bring candles and signs. Town and city officials and neighbors were among those who showed up for the event.

The vigil was organized to say "we support you and we're your neighbors," Hanscom had said earlier in the day Saturday.

The center invited attendees to stay for refreshments afterward.