National Day of Remembrance – September 25th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: LaWanda Hawkins, 310-738-4218
Patricia Wenskunas, 949-872-7895
MEDIA ADVISORY
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY BROWN, LOS ANGELES SHERIFF LEE BACA TO SPEAK AT NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE RALLY HONORING MURDER VICTIMS
FAMILIES OF CRIME VICTIMS MARCH TO HONOR SLAIN LOVED ONES; FORMER U.S. DIRECTOR OF OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME JOHN GILLIS, AND MARSY’S LAW CO-AUTHOR DR. HENRY T. NICHOLAS, III TO SPEAK; FALLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO BE REMEMBERED.
Friday, September 25, 11 a.m.
500 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles
BACKGROUND: At Los Angeles’ First Annual Day of Remembrance in Downtown Los Angeles, participants will join communities around the nation in honoring slain loved ones and fallen members of law enforcement (Friday marks the third National Day of Remembrance). For Californians it has been nearly a year since voters passed Marsy’s Law, a Constitutional Amendment that is the nation’s most comprehensive Victims’ Bill of Rights. Today, families and friends continue the fight for victims’ rights by uniting in solidarity. The rally is organized by Justice for Murdered Children (JFMC) founder LaWanda Hawkins in association with all Southern California Crime Victims’ organizations. Hawkins founded JFMC in 1996 after her only child, Reggie, was murdered.
EVENT: 11 a.m. Media interviews with LaWanda Hawkins and other Victims’ Rights leaders and event speakers.
11:30 a.m. Families carrying photos of slain loved ones will march across the Plaza courtyard. Booths of Victims’ Rights organizations that provide support, guidance and counseling for homicide survivors will be in the courtyard.
12 p.m. Speakers at the ceremony include:
• California Attorney General Jerry Brown
• Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca
• Former U.S. Director of Office for Victims of Crime John Gillis
• Marsy’s Law co-author and Broadcom Corporation founder, Dr. Henry T. Nicholas, III
DATE/TIME: September 25, 2009; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LOCATION: 500 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA In the Plaza Area behind the Hall of Administration
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