Mission families hold 14th annual victims' rights ceremony, say city and state provide resources

Family members and participants gathered in the City of Mission for the 14th annual victims' rights ceremony to honor people who lost their lives to crime and to reassure families that they are not alone.

“This year's event is about crime victims' rights away. This is the fourteenth time that we are doing this for families, and we are honoring and remember the lives of the loved ones that lost their lives due to a crime in the city of Mission and across the region,” Resident (Speaker 1) said, describing the event as meaningful for families and friends of victims.

The speakers said the ceremony combines a formal remembrance with community support. Resident (Speaker 2) said, “We're doing this, ceremony with the family members and their loved ones to honor those people who are no longer with us, and it's to send a message. Our message is clear. We want them to reassurance that they're not alone. We're we're here to support them.”

A family member who identified herself as a survivor of the loss of a sister spoke about surviving the tragedy and keeping the victim’s memory alive. Resident (Speaker 3) said, “First, I'm grateful for the city of Mission, right, to allow us to speak about my sister and how we're surviving, right, our tragedy that we lived. But I wanted to get our story out there so that people can know that there is a way to survive and keep her memory alive, right, and love her. And we wanna make sure that they're always remembered.”

Another family member expressed appreciation that local officials have not forgotten victims. Resident (Speaker 4) said, “It's been something very special to us to know that, even within the law in the City Of Mission, they have forgotten my daughter. We appreciate everything that the city of Mission does for cases like ours Giving some comfort and to know that our victims, our relatives, they haven't been forgotten. Seal. That somebody's still remembering our law.”

Speakers thanked the community for attending a walk tied to the ceremony and highlighted that resources are available from the city, the police department and the State of Texas. Resident (Speaker 1) said, “We have many available things that we can provide to them. The city, the police department, and the state of Texas.”

Organizers and family members described the event as both a memorial and a source of practical support for survivors; no formal actions or city votes were recorded during these remarks.

Members closed public remarks with gratitude: “So thank you,” Resident (Speaker 2) said.