10-04-2025
Victims' Rights March postponed due to Victims' Memorial construction delay
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County District Attorney's Office said the decision to postpone the Victims' Rights March was not made lightly and it's because of construction delays for the new Victims of Violent Crime Memorial.
'This memorial will serve as a tribute to victims,' said Cynthia Zimmer said in a Facebook post. 'A place where their families and the community can come together, reflect, mourn and find comfort.'
Zimmer posted the delay announcement to social media on Monday, April 7.
The annual march takes place during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, from April 6 – 12.
'The Victims' Right March means not only a lot to me, but to other parents of murdered, and missing loved ones. It always has a great big turnout,' said Jane Parrent.
Parrent is one of the mothers of The Bakersfield Three.
Her daughter, Baylee, went missing April 25, 2018.
Parrent says there should be two marches.
'Moms and dads like us, of murder victims, of really bad crimes, and stuff…you don't have many people who want to sit around, and talk about that,' said Parrent. 'So, it's just giving each other hugs, and how each other feels. It's just very important to build that relationship with the community.'
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The DA's Office released a statement to 17 News that read in part: 'While we were eager to have it completed by April of this year, construction delays we had limited control of have caused a setback. After careful deliberation, we made the difficult decision to postpone the annual Victims' Rights March until the memorial is completed.'
The DA's Office says staffing shortages, and a limited budget also play factors in the postponement.
The DA's Office states, 'The Victims' Rights March is funded through our Victim Witness Grant, which has a limited budget that supports only one event annually.'
Construction for the new Victims of Crime Memorial is slated to begin mid-summer with construction estimated to be completed by Fall, in September or October.
The Victims of Violent Crime Memorial will be located in the public courtyard area between 1115 & 1215 Truxtun Avenue.
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