Over the past several years, the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice have worked closely with families of gun violence victims to help get them through their trauma. The group is located in Albuquerque, but it won’t be the only location for long. “We know that we’re helping other people by what we’re doing, and so that is a big part of it. It helps us to live for our kids instead of living for their death,” Josette Otero, a co-founder of the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, said.The support and advocacy group will soon open up a sub-chapter in Ruidoso.Sally Sanchez, another co-founder, said the idea came after meeting out-of-town families at events throughout the Duke City. That’s when she noticed the group needed to do more for those impacted throughout the state. “We’ve had a lot of people ask us ‘how can we get you involved here with us? We have families out here, but we have no support,'” Sanchez said.Lisa Morales currently lives in Ruidoso with her family. Similar to Sanchez and Otero, she grieves every day for her son, Joseph. He was just 19 years old when he was killed during his first year at the University of New Mexico. “He was killed on Nov. 13, 2021. That made him the 100th homicide for 2021,” Morales said. “Our son was taken from us and we’re already serving our life sentence because nothing will bring him back.” Morales’ brother, David Lopez, said his nephew’s death has completely devastated their family. While he’s grateful for the support of the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, he hoped he never had to join the group in the first place.”It’s a shame that you have to have an organization like this setup, because of the numbers of people who lose family members to really avoidable violence,” Lopez said. Morales will now lead the new sub-chapter in Ruidoso. She said she’s planning to start recruiting local families impacted by gun violence. Many of whom still seek answers and justice.”Victims and our families need protection,” Morales said. “The criminals, they need just sentences imposed for the crimes that they’ve committed, and those sentences need to be carried out.”Besides advocacy, she hopes members can be there for one another in trying times. Just like the group’s co-founders, who have been there for each other since the very beginning.”We support each other, and that’s what the people need, right? That’s what the family members need. Honestly, the state of New Mexico does Nothing for the victims and the victims’ families. So the state’s not going to do it, we’re going to step up and do it,” Sanchez said. The Ruidoso sub-chapter is expected to start up within the next two weeks. The New Mexico Crusaders for Justice is also looking to open up another sub-chapter in Ruidoso. To learn more about the Albuquerque group, visit their Facebook page here. You can even send them to email at [email protected]
ALBUQUERQUE, NM —
Over the past several years, the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice have worked closely with families of gun violence victims to help get them through their trauma. The group is located in Albuquerque, but it won’t be the only location for long.
“We know that we’re helping other people by what we’re doing, and so that is a big part of it. It helps us to live for our kids instead of living for their death,” Josette Otero, a co-founder of the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, said.
The support and advocacy group will soon open up a sub-chapter in Ruidoso.
Sally Sanchez, another co-founder, said the idea came after meeting out-of-town families at events throughout the Duke City.
That’s when she noticed the group needed to do more for those impacted throughout the state.
“We’ve had a lot of people ask us ‘how can we get you involved here with us? We have families out here, but we have no support,'” Sanchez said.
Lisa Morales currently lives in Ruidoso with her family.
Similar to Sanchez and Otero, she grieves every day for her son, Joseph. He was just 19 years old when he was killed during his first year at the University of New Mexico.
“He was killed on Nov. 13, 2021. That made him the 100th homicide for 2021,” Morales said. “Our son was taken from us and we’re already serving our life sentence because nothing will bring him back.”
Morales’ brother, David Lopez, said his nephew’s death has completely devastated their family.
While he’s grateful for the support of the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, he hoped he never had to join the group in the first place.
“It’s a shame that you have to have an organization like this setup, because of the numbers of people who lose family members to really avoidable violence,” Lopez said.
Morales will now lead the new sub-chapter in Ruidoso.
She said she’s planning to start recruiting local families impacted by gun violence. Many of whom still seek answers and justice.
“Victims and our families need protection,” Morales said. “The criminals, they need just sentences imposed for the crimes that they’ve committed, and those sentences need to be carried out.”
Besides advocacy, she hopes members can be there for one another in trying times.
Just like the group’s co-founders, who have been there for each other since the very beginning.
“We support each other, and that’s what the people need, right? That’s what the family members need. Honestly, the state of New Mexico does nothing for the victims and the victims’ families. So [if] the state’s not going to do it, we’re going to step up and do it,” Sanchez said.
The Ruidoso sub-chapter is expected to start up within the next two weeks. The New Mexico Crusaders for Justice is also looking to open up another sub-chapter in Ruidoso.
To learn more about the Albuquerque group, visit their Facebook page here.
You can also send them to email at [email protected]
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