HCPO hosting candlelight vigil in Jersey City for Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office hosts a candlelight vigil and memorial walk in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 6 p.m. in Jersey City’s Lincoln Park track.

The inaugural event is being organized by the Hudson County Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy in an effort to increase awareness about the resources available to victims and their families and to memorialize those impacted by crime.

The event begins with a short speaking program by members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition Movement and Sarah’s Daughters. A candlelight vigil, moment of silence and memorial walk will follow.

“Crime is often life-altering for victims, their families and their communities,” Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. “As law enforcement, we have the responsibility of seeking justice on behalf of victims and providing them with the services and resources necessary to cope and recover. We invite the community to join us in remembering those who we have lost to crime and standing with survivors during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.”

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, this year, is the week of April 24. Since 1981, NCVRW has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime.

“The Hudson County Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy provides support to crime victims 365 days a year to see that they are treated with dignity and compassion while they navigate through the criminal justice system,” Victim/Witness Coordinator Silena Shuta said. “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity for us to elevate the voices of our families, friends and neighbors and continue to educate the community about the resources available to anyone who is the victim or witness of a crime.”

Representatives from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, WomenRising, Jersey City Medical Center Trauma Recovery Center, Hudson SPEAKS and Palisade Family Success Center will also be in attendance.

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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.