Remembrance Walk to Kick Off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
5th Annual Remembrance Walk to honor victims of homicide
Knoxville, Tenn. – (April 1, 2013). Hope for Victims, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring victims of homicide and supporting their families and friends, has announced its fifth annual Remembrance Walk at Volunteer Landing near Calhoun’s on the River in downtown Knoxville. The walk is held in conjunction with the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which will be observed April 21-27, 2013. Friends, family, and advocates of homicide victims are invited to come together on Sun., April 21, at 2 p.m. at Volunteer Landing Park. The event will feature Hugh Newsom as the keynote speaker. Newsom is the father of homicide victim Christopher Newsom, who was carjacked and murdered along with his girlfriend, Channon Christian, on Jan. 7, 2007. Newsom will speak on the struggle for justice for his son, Chris, and Channon Christian.
Other guest speakers include Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Russ Jennings from the Knoxville City Mayor’s Office, and Chief David Rausch of the Knoxville Police Department. Survivors of homicide victims in the Knoxville area will also have the opportunity to acknowledge the loss of their loved ones.
Joan Berry, the founder of Hope for Victims, says, “This event is important for our community. It is an opportunity for our city to recognize the victims of violence and the struggles they often endure to seek justice for their loved ones.” Berry, whose daughter, Johnia, was murdered on Dec. 6, 2004, is all too familiar with the heartbreak of violent crime. “Hope for Victims was started as a grassroots organization to assist and support those affected by violent crime,” she says. “We offer a monthly support group meeting for anyone whose life has been impacted by violence. We are also actively involved nationally in obtaining legislation to promote DNA collection from violent offenders. Those of us who have lost loved ones to violence can’t get them back, but we can do more to prevent homicide and to help our police and judicial system get accurate evidence that can put cold-hearted killers behind bars for good.”
The public is invited to meet at 2 p.m. at Volunteer Landing Park to hear Hugh Newsom and other guest speakers. Participants may place a picture of their loved one on the remembrance table and speak aloud their family member’s name. Afterwards, they will be asked to join in a short walk of remembrance along the Knoxville Riverfront
Other guest speakers include Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Russ Jennings from the Knoxville City Mayor’s Office, and Chief David Rausch of the Knoxville Police Department. Survivors of homicide victims in the Knoxville area will also have the opportunity to acknowledge the loss of their loved ones.
Joan Berry, the founder of Hope for Victims, says, “This event is important for our community. It is an opportunity for our city to recognize the victims of violence and the struggles they often endure to seek justice for their loved ones.” Berry, whose daughter, Johnia, was murdered on Dec. 6, 2004, is all too familiar with the heartbreak of violent crime. “Hope for Victims was started as a grassroots organization to assist and support those affected by violent crime,” she says. “We offer a monthly support group meeting for anyone whose life has been impacted by violence. We are also actively involved nationally in obtaining legislation to promote DNA collection from violent offenders. Those of us who have lost loved ones to violence can’t get them back, but we can do more to prevent homicide and to help our police and judicial system get accurate evidence that can put cold-hearted killers behind bars for good.”
The public is invited to meet at 2 p.m. at Volunteer Landing Park to hear Hugh Newsom and other guest speakers. Participants may place a picture of their loved one on the remembrance table and speak aloud their family member’s name. Afterwards, they will be asked to join in a short walk of remembrance along the Knoxville Riverfront
