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Tears and memories were in abundance Friday evening as families remembered their loved ones lost to violence, and those in the audience pledged their support to end all violence against women everywhere.
Carlos Martinez, Sr., and Linda Garcia, both parents who lost their children to violent crime, participated in a panel that was part of the Second Annual J. Paul Taylor Symposium for Social Justice on the campus of New Mexico State University. The focus of the panel was for the families of victims of violence to share their experiences of their individual tragedies.
Martinez and Garcia, along with written comments from the family of Katie Sepich, talked about memories they had about their daughters, and discussed ways that everyone can take action and unite to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Martinez told the audience that because of faith, love and hope, he was able to carry on after his loss.
“Faith is an anchor that makes your life bearable during such dark, tough times,” Martinez explained. Martinez lost his daughter Carly, a freshman NMSU student in 1998. When asked by an audience member if he could forgive, he replied: “It isn’t a stage that I have come to yet.
Garcia spoke of her daughter Autumn Castilleja, as a person who was helpful, outgoing, and loved people. “She came from a small town, where everyone knew each other, she was always so friendly and trusting of everyone,” a tearful Garcia said.
The Sepich family was also invited to the panel, but was unable to attend. Jayann Sepich sent a written statement that drew applause as if she were there herself. In the statement, Sepich talked about the recent passage of “Katie’s Law” in the New Mexico Legislature that would make it mandatory for a DNA sample to be collected upon any felony arrest, which would quickly locate individuals responsible for violent crimes.
“Together, we can change the law of the land."
- Jayann Sepich
"Please join us in spreading the word about this technology, so no family will have to endure such a tragedy in the future,” Sepich said.
The panel was the last of a three day symposium sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, with the topic, “Justice for Women.” During the panel, J. Paul Taylor himself was called upon to comment about the symposium.
“This university is very special. This symposium speaks very well for this university.” Taylor said. “Let us hope the discussion here today will lead to action, and all of this will stop.”
