Crime victims remembered with 10-mile walk

Sunday morning hundreds of El Pasoans wearing blue shirts, holding purple balloons walked for five hours from the El Paso County Courthouse to the Crime Victims Memorial, remembering those lost to violent crime.

The march, meant to bring awareness to crime victims, was not just for those who have lost loved ones.

“This provides a voice and a face to the people who have been victims of crime, so it’s not just people who are affected that have had a family member, we’re all affected because it’s our community,” Ashley Termil, who walked in the march with her husband.

This couple’s aunt was awarded for her work with probationers, helping convicts change their lives to prevent future victims. One marcher hoping the walk could make some face the people affected by crimes, giving a face to their actions.

“I want to be able to communicate to folks ‘hey crime exists, you can stop it by not doing it’ it only exists because people do it,” said Marc Termil.

The purple balloons released as people reached the Crime Victims Memorial. Remembering those who have already been lost, knowing they will not be the last ones, but working to prevent more victims.

“We as people tend to think “oh that can’t happen to us” when we’re here with aunts, and uncles and cousins, people who are just in support, like my husband and it’s important to show it can happen to you,” Ashley Termil said.

The Crime Victims Memorial has the names of El Pasoans lost to violent crime and can be visited at any time in Yucca Park in east El Paso.