BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 Families and friends gathered in downtown Bakersfield Thursday evening for the annual Victim\u2019s Rights March.<\/p>\n
Bells rang in honor of those lost.<\/p>\n
Victims of violence, gone but not forgotten.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that the victims of violent crime understand that just because a case is over we stop caring about them, and the community stops caring about them,\u201d Cynthia Zimmer, Kern County\u2019s district attorney said.<\/p>\n
In its 12th year, the Victims\u2019 Rights March, organized by the DA\u2019s office, allowed local families and friends to gather, honor and remember those they lost.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of local residents gathered, many harboring sadness and frustration, still seeking justice for their loved ones.<\/p>\n
\u2018I held her as she took her last breaths\u2019: Combatting the Black maternal health crisis <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s disappointing to see the justice system fail so many families over and over again,\u201d Kaitlyn Medellin, the sister of Isaiah Leyva said.<\/p>\n The story of Isaiah Pedro Leyva\u2019s death remains unsolved just like many other victims.<\/p>\n Leyva was shot and killed in 2021 at a Halloween party. Leyva\u2019s family is still offering a reward of $25,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.<\/p>\n Their call remains unanswered.<\/p>\n What is heard is the support and energy from those still remembering their loved ones, and not just individually, but as a community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not alone. We are not alone, there are so many people there are so many people in the same situation and I feel their pain, I genuinely feel their pain. And for the community to come together and to be able to honor our loved ones, it\u2019s a great feeling,\u201d Jacqueline Angeles, Leyva\u2019s mom said.<\/p>\n There were hundreds of posters and memorabilia hoisted into the Bakersfield air and stories of victims lives shared through subtle tears.<\/p>\n