Santa Cruz march to honor crime victims

SANTA CRUZ — Though life moves forward for many people, the victims of crimes and their family members are often stuck in the past. They’re mired in memories of the crime and waiting for court cases to resolve.

“They’re having the challenge of dealing with their grief and moving on,” said Silvia Nieto, director of Santa Cruz County’s Victim Witness Center.

On Wednesday, more than a hundred people are expected to take over Pacific Avenue for the fourth annual Victims’ Rights March. The event is meant to spotlight the victims of crime and extend support to them.

As the marchers take to the streets, they’ll carry signs to remember and honor 33 victims who were killed in the county over the years. Nieto said there are more but many family members of victims aren’t ready to talk about it publicly.

“We are remembering all the victims even if there are not posters representing them,” she said.

The center has four employees who serve as proxies between the court system and crime victims. Members of the center help victims and their family members with counseling services and restitution issues.

The march, started three years ago, was a way to ensure the community didn’t forget about the people most impacted by crime, Nieto said.

One of the early proponents of the march was Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee, who died in October after battling cancer for months.

“You know, it will always be a tribute to him because of his passion for victims.” Nieto said.

Since its inception, attendance has grown from 75 people to 160 people in 2014. Ideally, this year’s march will approach or break the 200 mark, Nieto said.

The march will begin on the steps of the Santa Cruz County Courthouse and snake through downtown along Pacific Avenue before ending at City Hall. There, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell will speak as well as a victim of a crime.

More than providing an opportunity to remember, the march is chance for the community to show it cares.

The group usually picks up supporters along the way from people finishing dinner or walking their dogs, Nieto said.

“It’s pretty awesome for victims to see, ‘ Wow, here’s this stranger on the sidewalk and they’re joining me,’ ” she said.

This year, organizers plan to serve refreshments for those who linger after the march. Oftentimes family members and others who attend the march stick around to talk to one another and connect. Though most don’t keep in touch too often, the simple act of asking each other how their life is going makes a difference, Nieto said.

“Anything you would do for a friend,” she said. “Just to say I remember you ; I am connected with you. How are you?”