JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thousands of people across the country are expected to be in Washington D.C. for the “Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington” on Tuesday.
This march will bring crime survivors together to call for better support services and policies for victims.
“This is victims who have been sexually assaulted, domestic violence, all different types of crimes all over the United States,” said Families of Slain Children Board Member Deborah Riley–Harris.
Harris along with Beverly McClain are both crime survivors who are participating in this march. Harris was a victim of domestic violence and McClain lost her son Andre Johnson to gun violence.
“I know how hard it is to get the necessary resources that crime survivors need,” said Harris. “We need help and we need healing. We need services. For instance, we need a trauma recovery services. We need stable housing. We need job protection, and we need emergency funding...”
This is not the first time they have done a march like this. For the past few years, this group has held marches in Tallahassee.
“That’s the head. That’s where everything gets to move and shake, and we’re going to move and shake some stuff, and we want to make sure that our voices are heard,” said McClain.
Over 30 people are leaving Jacksonville to head to the march in Washington D.C. on Sunday.