It was held November 18th 2006 Barbara Dunne will hold it every year. The next WALK FOR JUSTICE will be September 9, 2007 both in Calgary and England.
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Nov 15 2006
Simon Haworth, Evening Gazette
A campaigning mother is uniting the relatives of murder victims in a 'Walk for Justice' against violence in society.
Barbara Dunne has organised the walk to take place in Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Barbara, a tireless campaigner against violence since her son Robert was murdered in 2003, was inspired to hold the event by a Canadian mother whose son was also stabbed to death. Barbara will be joined by Ann Ming, the mother of murdered Julie Hogg, who this year won an incredible fight to bring her daughter's killer to justice.
Barbara said: "The Walk for Justice will show that the victims are all walking together. We will be making a stance because justice hasn't been done.
"The Government needs to realise that we are not here for them, the Government is here for us.
"We are making a stand against soft sentences."
And Barbara said that the walk will also be a symbolic act against violence in general.
She said: "Society has to take a stand against escalating violence. The walk is about murder victims and getting justice for them but it's also saying we want an end to violence in society. We are going to try to do it every year."
Barbara was inspired to do the walk by a woman called Steffi Stehwien from Calgary in Canada who she discovered on the internet.
In 2003 Steffi's son Aaron Shoulders was stabbed outside a nightclub, aged 18. His killer was never caught.
Steffi held a Walk for Justice this year which attracted hundreds of supporters and was covered extensively in the Canadian media.
Steffi told the Gazette: "I feel honoured, pleased, encouraged and excited to have inspired a mother in another country, who is living the same nightmare as myself.
"I am excited to know the first international Walk for Justice For Murder Victims will be held in Middlesbrough.
"My heartfelt thanks to Barbara Dunne for all her support and for becoming a part of my vision in our fight for justice."
Barbara. who is being helped by local councillor Joan McTigue said: "Steffi is the person who gave me inspiration for this."
* The Walk for Justice starts outside the Albert Park gates in Middlesbrough at noon on Saturday and will go to Teesside Crown Court. All are welcome to attend.
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Families on march for justice
Nov 20 2006
Audrey Forbes, Evening Gazette
Families united by grief for murdered loved ones came together in a Walk for Justice.
Dozens of relatives joined forces in a stand against soft sentences in a society filled with increasing violence.
Barbara Dunne organised Saturday's walk and hopes others will take place across the country in the future.
She began her crusade after her son Robert was murdered in 2003 and was inspired to hold the event by a Canadian mother, whose son was also stabbed to death.
Barbara told the Gazette: "The achievement of today is the simple fact we are showing a presence and making a stand.
"It's saying something when people have to make a stand and hold up posters saying 'life should mean life' - we want justice for someone who was murdered. But this is what we have to do.
"The sentences are not sentences. They are giving people eight years for murder. They have taken someone's life away, yet they are out to carry on their lives."
She believes this is just the start for the annual walk.
"This will go on each year and I hope in other parts of the country. I've rushed this one through for the victims to let them know they are not alone. When there is someone there for them it gives them hope that we can speak together."
Ann Ming, the mother of murdered Julie Hogg, who this year won an incredible fight to bring her daughter's killer to justice, was among the relatives of murder victims to make a stand.
She said: "I wanted to offer Barbara support because I know what it feels like when you're campaigning. You feel 'is anyone listening'?
"I hope the Government listens and balances the scales even further in favour of the victim's family. At the moment the families feel they are not quite balanced."
Other families included Ron Phillips, the father of Maria Jones, who was stabbed 96 times by her husband, Cleveland Police officer Ivor Jones at their home in 2004.
"He got eight years which is ridiculous. We are here today to highlight the fact that victims are kicked in the teeth."
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