Yuma hosts 12th Annual “Day of Remembrance” Vigil for murder victims
Paul Vozzella
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 18th Annual “Day of Remembrance” was observed across the country and it’s the 12th consecutive year that Yuma is participating.
Local citizens and members of law enforcement gathered at the Yuma Arts Center to honor the memories of murder victims locally and across the country.
Every seat at the vigil was filled to remember victims, and local Salvador Alonso, brother of a victim, was quick to acknowledge both sides to the turnout.
“It was beautiful to see this turnout – to see how many people are willing to support each other,” Alonso said. “It was also very heart-breaking to see this turnout, because you know why they’re here.”
While it is not easy to imagine what the mourning process is like, Mark Martinez, Master of the Ceremony and Yuma County Victim’s Rights Committee Chairman, puts together the event to help families of victims.
“Some people may think we know; we may even say ‘I know what you’re going through,’ but it’s never true,” said Martinez. “We can never truly know, but we hope, as a victim’s advocate group, that this provides some type of healing.”
Of course, the healing process is a long one and the judicial process following tragedy can be a long one, as well. For the Sims family, the judicial process is still in the preliminary stage, almost a year after losing their loved one, Jacob.
“We just want some peace and justice for him,” said grandmother Genia Sims. “They took him away from us. He’s just this huge bright light to us.”
The vigil cannot change the past, but serves as a way to help the future and the city is planning on continuing the event next year.