Today, we remember those whose lives were taken through an act of violence and the many loved ones they leave behind….parents, children, wives and husbands, friends, communities.
Today, September 25th, marks the annual observance of National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. This day honors the memory of homicide victims and acknowledges the resulting long-term trauma for their families, communities, and the nation. You can read more about it on the website of Parents of Murdered Children, which initiated today’s observance.
Two murder victim survivors – Jan Brown and TCADP Board Member Helene Burns – will share their stories at separate events this evening. Jan will join death row survivor Anthony Graves at St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station at 6:30 PM, while Helene will address the Young Americans for Liberty chapter at Texas State University in San Marcos.
For more insight into the perspective of victims’ families, read this powerful essay by Yolanda Littlejohn, a member of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation (MVFR), which appeared on the front page of the national news site The Root.
There’s also a compelling op-ed by a North Carolina woman who was attacked and raped because the wrong person was convicted of murder.
MVFR is hosting a Member Meeting on October 25th in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This meeting will offer the opportunity to hear from leaders in the abolition movement and leaders who work with victims/survivors, including Kate Lowenstein. Kate has worked with MVFR and MVFHR for over 15 years, empowering murder victim family members to share their stories and push for abolition.
Limited scholarships are available to defray the costs of travel and lodging for murder victim family members who are interested in attending.
Learn more at http://www.mvfr.org.