VANCOUVER, Wash. — Families, friends and loved ones gathered Thursday evening in Vancouver's Esther Short Park to honor those lost to violence on National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims.

"We'll never understand their reasoning," said Michelle Bart. "So it's not even worth trying. But what is worth trying is making sure they can't ever do it again."

Bart's organization, the National Women’s Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation (NWCAVE), hosted the community candlelight memorial. Several speakers shared their grief and their strength with the crowd, as well as their continued fight for justice and change.

"Today is a day that compels us to pause, and reflect on that devastating impact of homicide," said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.

"Tragedy that could have crushed

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