GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A candlelight vigil in Grand Rapids on Wednesday night figures to be an emotional time for the families of those who have died from violence in the community during the past year.
Silent Observer and the Kent County Prosecutor's Victim Witness Unit are hosting the annual event outside the 63rd District Court in Grand Rapids. The vigil gets underway at 6 o'clock and will remember and honor victims who have lost their lives to violence since April 2023. Angelica Ferrer is the Victim Witness coordinator. She says it's an emotional event.
"There's an air of grief but, also, of support and togetherness," she said. "And it's really a time for families to see that they're not alone. Because, a lot of times, they can feel very isolated in their experience."
Families who may have never met each other gather and often bond, talking about their lost loved ones.
"They will sometimes meet and hug ... there generally are some tears because we are remembering so many people who are no longer here," Ferrer said.
Wednesday night's vigil is open to the public. Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker, and Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom will give some remarks, and then there will be a ceremony announcing the names of people who have died from violence in the past year.
'Mothers on a Mission' also participates in the ceremony every year. It works to raise awareness to young people about the impact of violence. That group has photographs of victims who have lost their lives in prior years, as well.
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