A mix of many emotions, families join 10th Annual Victims’ Rights March
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — No family wants to be a part of this event, but still, they show up for their loved ones.
In the 10th annual Victims Rights March in downtown Bakersfield, dozens of victims’ pictures line up the street outside the county building.
One young face stands out this year from the rest of the victims.
“It’s hard, you know, we go through it daily and we see his brothers and siblings, they’re running around and he’s not there,” said Kia Villarreal, aunt of Ezekiel Rivera. “You can tell something is missing. That’s just a void that I don’t think we can ever fill, but we’ll always hold him in our heart and we’ll always keep the memories that we did have with him.”
Ezekiel Rivera died of a fentanyl overdose in June of 2023.
Honored for the first time, is Felipe Neri.
“This event, I didn’t know it was going to be so emotional, but getting here and seeing it just replays everything that happened one year ago today,” said Melinda Cortez, niece of Felipe Neri.
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With just one week away from the anniversary of his death, the family was filled with a mix of many emotions.
“Words can’t describe the ups, the downs, the anger, the hate,” said Cortez. “I’m not going to lie, the hate, the broken heartedness, it’s just horrible.”
Although it’s difficult, their unconditional love motivates them to show up for one another and to bring awareness.
“It’s sad! There’s a lot of us, I’m just saddened,” Kia Villarreal. “None of us want to be here, but it’s going to take all of us coming together to get through everything together.”
Family members say each and every one of these deaths were preventable, and urge the community to stay safe.
If you need assistance, call the DA’s Victims Services Unit at 661-868-5960.
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