20 years of taking back the night for Liza Ellen Warner
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It’s National Crime Victims’ Week and an annual walk that has been raising awareness for domestic violence in the Capital Region has now been around and walking for two decades.
It's been 20 years now that the friends and family have mourned the loss of Liza Ellen Warner. Thursday over 50 people joined forces to come together and take back the night with a walk.
"October 1st, from the time my daughter was murdered, and her husband took his own life, unfortunately, it's 20 years and I am still grieving my daughter's loss,” said Martha Lasher-Warner.
The walk began at Onderdonk Park. From there, walkers wound their way around Hampton Manor Lake, all with the help of the East Greenbush Police Department and the Clinton Heights Fire Department leading the way for both our two-legged and four-legged friends, kids included too.
“To teach them that they don't have to be silent about it that they can seek help they can help a friend who is going through a situation and try to help them,” said Meaghan Hart, board member for Family and Friends of Liza Ellen Warner.
The folks at the walk tell NEWS10 reporter James De La Fuente that they feel domestic violence is increasing and more awareness is needed.
“It's gotten worse. it's not gotten better,” said local man Ed Nestler. He has an idea that he feels will help. “We need to get back to those interpersonal connections. Like I said, get back to knowing your neighbor. Being able to help out, seeing when something is wrong and being able to say something and do something,” said Nestler.
According to the National Institutes of Health nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience some form of domestic violence. Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault says he is committed to bringing awareness to the community. “People see that number one, we're not going to tolerate it. Number two we're not going to forget it, and we're going to do everything we can to prevent it,” said Bourgault.
The next big gathering for the friends and family of Liza Ellen Warner Association Inc. will be in October for their annual event this year celebrating the life of Liza in Hollywood glamour and style.