Dozens walk through downtown Milwaukee to remember victims of domestic violence

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Dozens of people walked through downtown Milwaukee Monday afternoon, Oct. 4, to remember those who died in domestic violence situations in 2020.

This is the sixth "Say No to Violence Against Women Walk" held by the Zonta Club of Milwaukee in partnership with End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. The one-mile walk started and ended at city hall.

"We really need to be more vigilant and keep our eyes wider open and look around for signs that somebody might be in trouble," Zonta member Donna Neal said.

Each person held up a flag with the initials of someone who died of domestic violence in 2020. According to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, 58 people died in 2020.

HAPPENING NOW: Dozens of people, including Milwaukee police officers, are silently walking through downtown Milwaukee for the “Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women Walk.” They will be walking for the next half hour to bring awareness to domestic violence. @CBS58pic.twitter.com/xhMqSf5Si7

— Melissa Zygowicz (@MelissaZygowicz) October 4, 2021

"It's a record-setting year. It's the highest number of homicide victims as a result of domestic violence," Neal said.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and several Milwaukee Police Officers joined the march.

"We want folks to know that if you see something you need to say something," former Zonta president La Toya Sykes said.

Sykes said this year's walk is especially important. The Delta outbreak is slowing down the return to work and domestic violence incidents are still on the rise.

"In domestic violence abuse, it's not just against a man or a woman, it's against a family, and we're not only losing parents, we're losing children as well," Sykes said.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Violence Prevention or End Domestic Violence Abuse Wisconsin.