Advocates march in honor of Crime Victim's Week

By Brian Johnson

Nevada Daily Mail

One of many signs state what should be the obvious -- crime victims have rights. If that's not enough, the point is driven home by several large photos of slain loved ones, lost forever to violent, criminal acts.

Someone's mother. Someone's daughter. Someone's friend.

On Tuesday evening, about 50 men, women and children gathered around the Vernon County Courthouse, along with their signs and pictures, to march in the street in honor of Crime Victim's Week.

It, of course, is a day many of the participants wish they never had to be a part of.

Ashlyn Sisk told the story of having to watch her mother get murdered in Pittsburgh, Kan., at the hands of a man on drugs.

With her mother's picture in front of the podium, Sisk told the crowd that it will forever haunt her.

"I was laying in her bed asleep at the time," Sisk said. "I'll never forget it."

At about 6 p.m., the marchers went north on Ash Street to the south side of the Vernon County Courthouse. Traffic along Ash and Austin were blocked for a few minutes, drawing a mixed reaction. Some didn't seem to care, but many drivers honked their horns, in appreciation of what the marchers stood for.

Nevada Mayor Tim Moore said he was moved by "the power of their personal stories, which tell us of pain and suffering and inequality. But also of heroism, healing and inspiring journeys of justice."

Many of the marchers have had personal trauma in their lives due to crime. They want to help make sure that others realize it could happen to them, too.

That's why Pastor Wes Anderson was there.

In 1994, while living in Sacramento, Calif., Anderson noticed a car accident alongside the highway. He went to help a woman when a drunk driver swerved toward Anderson and the woman. The drunk driver hit the brakes, and Anderson pushed the woman out of the way.

But Anderson himself was hit and he ended up losing his leg.

According to Anderson, by California law, the driver was sentenced to a total of 16 months in prison, but ended up serving only seven months.

"It didn't seem like a fair sentence," Anderson said. "They took seven months out of his life but he took every day of mine. Every day I think about what happened that day."

Many of the marchers will never forget what happened to them. In a instant, their lives changed forever.

Connie Moffit lost several members of her family in a vehicle accident. The other driver was using methamphetamines at the time.

"I never thought something like this could happen to me," she said Tuesday. "If you think it wont happen to you, you're wrong. It can and it's devastating."