National Crime Victims' Rights Week

April 22-28, 2007 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – a time for all Americans to learn about victimization, reflect on the cost of crime to our society, and promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime rebuild their lives.  The week’s theme, “Victims’ Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.” envisions a strengthened national commitment to the nearly 24 million Americans harmed by crime each year.

The U.S. Department of Justice will launch National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Washington, DC with its fifth annual National Candlelight Observance Ceremony on April 19, and its Awards Ceremony, April 20, to honor extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victims of crime.  There will be many special events and programs across the state of Tennessee to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 22-28, 2007.  Community members are encouraged to join in the week’s activities and get involved in helping victims of crime.

Johnia Hope Berry Memorial Walk

In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a remembrance walk to honor all victims of violent crime will be held at 2:00 on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at Volunteer Landing Park, 400 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN. The 5k walk will begin at Volunteer Landing and continue along the Tennessee River waterfront and down the Third Creek Greenway by the UT Trial Gardens. The UT Faculty Club is the midway/turnaround point at which time we will return to Volunteer Landing.

Prior to the walk, officials from both the city of Knoxville and Knox County will present a proclamation declaring the week of April 22-28, 2007 to be National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to Jeanne Dotts Brykalski from the East Tennessee Victims’ Rights Task Force.  There will also be an opportunity for the families and friends of victims to speak and tables will be set up to display pictures or other information the families would like to share.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey.  Encouraged by the parents of Johnia Berry, Ramsey sponsored the DNA bill currently making its way through the legislature.  Under the proposed bill, named the Johnia Berry Act of 2007, a DNA sample could be taken from anyone arrested in connection with certain violent felony arrests.  If the person is later cleared of the crime, the DNA sample is destroyed.  The primary purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our ability to solve crimes and take violent offenders off the street.

For more information, please contact:

East Tennessee Victims’ Rights Task Force  
info@etvictimsrights.org
    
Dena HySmith
denahysmith@att.net             

Joan Berry  
jberry5916@bellsouth.net