A Whirlwind Week for Crime Victims' Rights
2018 National Crime Victims Rights Week is behind us and what a whirlwind it has been! Last week, we updated you on some of the events that our team had already participated in around Wisconsin. The end of the week was even busier and we were very excited to be part of a number of events that put the spotlight on the need for stronger rights for crime victims.
2018 National Crime Victims Rights Week is behind us and what a whirlwind it has been! Last week, we updated you on some of the events that our team had already participated in around Wisconsin. The end of the week was even busier and we were very excited to be part of a number of events that put the spotlight on the need for stronger rights for crime victims.
The Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin team was thrilled to join the Wisconsin Department of Justice for our state’s official National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony. The event included some very moving musical performances and readings of written pieces from survivors of crime, as well as a touching display of artwork inspired by victims’ stories. Wisconsin Attorney Brad Schimel delivered remarks detailing Wisconsin’s strong history of supporting victims’ rights and stressed the need to keep fighting to protect and strengthen those rights. You can read his statement about the event here.
Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin was very also excited to make a major announcement during this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Our team joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, Attorney General Brad Schimel, and a number of prominent victims’ rights advocates to announce the “Stand With Crime Victims” pledge and ask candidates for Wisconsin legislative office to make a commitment to support equal rights for crime victims. You can watch the press conference including the moving remarks from Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin State Chair Teri and Dane County Chair Kate here.
Our team is so grateful for all of the support we have received since our launch last year during Crime Victims’ Rights Week. In only a year, we’ve received thousands of signatures on the petition backing our statewide efforts, achieved broad bipartisan support in the legislature and passed first consideration in both houses, and earned more than 350 key endorsements including nearly 200 chiefs of police, an overwhelming majority of the state’s sheriffs, a number of victim advocacy groups, and an impressive array of Wisconsin’s prominent law enforcement organizations. We could not have accomplished so much in a year without all of our dedicated supporters and we want to thank you once again for helping make Marsy’s Law a reality in Wisconsin.