A memorial event and candlelight vigil honoring the lives of loved ones taken by violence will be held in South Los Angeles Thursday — the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
Thursday’s 6:30 p.m. ceremony at the sheriff’s South Los Angeles station will be conducted by the organization Justice For Murdered Children, in association with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna is expected to speak at the event.
“It’s a somber truth that every single day, lives are forever altered by the harrowing impact of murder,” JFMC said in a statement. “Behind every statistic lies a story of pain, loss and shattered dreams. Families, friends, and entire communities are left grappling with grief, seeking answers and striving for justice.”
Congress designated Sept. 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims for families of homicide victims and to raise awareness about the lasting impact of violent crime.
According to LaWanda Hawkins, one of the founders of JFMC, the day “is not only about remembering those we’ve lost. It is about lifting up families who live with this pain every day and ensuring their loved ones are never forgotten.”
Hawkins helped found JFMC in 1996 after the loss of her son, Reginald, who was murdered in December 1995.
Families who plan to attend the event are encouraged to bring photos of their murdered loved ones for inclusion in the memorial display, Hawkins said.
JFMC says its mission is to “bring justice and healing to families of murdered children. We strive to create a world where no family has to bear the pain of losing a loved one to violence.”