CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Crime survivors and victims across the nation are advocating for change in honor of their loved ones.
More than a dozen survivors and their loved ones gathered Saturday in Chula Vista as part of the 5th Annual Survivors Speak Healing Vigil Day of Action and to mark the end of National Crime Victims Rights Week.
“A group like this, and days like this for me is healing because I’m with other groups of parents or people who have lost their loved ones, or their sons and daughters," said Karrie Gonzales, whose son died from fentanyl poisoning.
The vigil was hosted by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, a national network of crime survivors that’s working to heal communities and shape public policy.
“The healing vigil is really important to us cause it’s a time we have to honor our loved ones," said Elizabeth Munoz, who lost her son to murder and is part of the San Diego chapter of Survivors for Safety and Justice.
The survivor-led group is pushing for policies that are centered around prevention, healing and protection to combat gun violence and other crimes, including the opioid epidemic.
“The sad part about the gun violence is that it does hit black and brown communities more so than anywhere else and legislators don’t want to do anything about it and fentanyl crisis, is a human crisis – it literally does not discriminate," said Gonzales.
“We do the work with crime survivors for safety and justice to pass reforms and bills to help survivors, give us a seat at the table," said Munoz.
The organization recently advocated for change in Sacramento.
“We have to educate people and we also have to spread awareness but also we need to break the stigmas and shame and silence that comes with both of these. And just continue to be the voice of our lost loved ones and never be silent," added Gonzales.
Later this year, they and others across the country plan to march at the nation’s capitol to call on those in charge to implement what they say are common-sense public safety policies.
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