The organization Justice for Murdered Children launched a new billboard campaign on Friday in South Los Angeles, aiming to raise awareness and generate tips for four unsolved homicide cases. The billboard, located at 104th Street and Vermont Avenue, features the faces of four young murder victims and poses the question, “Do You Know Who Murdered Me?” It also encourages residents to anonymously report tips to Los Angeles Crime Stoppers.
The campaign, which includes seven billboards across the city, seeks to challenge the cultural norm that discourages people from speaking out. “We’re saying stand up and tell if you know something,” said LaWanda Hawkins, founder of Justice for Murdered Children, who started the organization after her son was murdered in 1995. Hawkins emphasized the importance of breaking the “code of silence” that often prevents witnesses from coming forward.
The victims highlighted on the billboards include Ezmeralda McGee, Kishaundra Gatlin, Edgar Vazquez, and Reginald Thompson, Sr. Their cases remain unsolved, representing many others in Los Angeles County. During the campaign’s unveiling, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Chief Joe Mendoza acknowledged the hundreds of unsolved murder cases in the area. District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed the dual role of Justice for Murdered Children as both a support network for grieving families and a reminder of ongoing violence.
Residents are urged to share any information they may have, with the assurance of anonymity through Los Angeles Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477. The campaign serves as both a memorial and a call to action, reminding the community that these cases and the families affected are not forgotten.
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