The family members of some of Edmonton's youngest murder victims marched down Jasper Avenue on Saturday afternoon demanding an end to violent crime and stronger penalties for those who commit them.
"These people are getting in and out of jail. They have more rights than our loved ones lying in the ground," said Marlene McGillis, the mother of 20 year-old Dylan McGillis who was murdered on Whyte Avenue in November 2006.
The families of Shane Rolston, Nina Courtepatte, and Josh Hunt were also marching to keep their loved ones' memories alive.
"You go through and you re-hatch every moment you had with him. You miss him terribly," said Shane Rolston's mother Kelly Rolston. Her 17-year-old son was beaten to death with a baseball bat in 2005.
Five people pleaded guilty in Rolston's murder, but only some of them received jail time.
"This is not acceptable. We do not have to tolerate this as a community, as a nation," said Kelly Rolston.
For most, the focus of the march was the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which many find is too easy on young offenders.
"Young offenders aren't taking the justice system seriously because up until now they know there's really been no consequence. They can laugh at it and go and we can't allow that to keep happening," said federal MP Laurie Hawn who vowed his government will change the law.
This was the second annual Silent Walk for Justice.
With files from Scott Roberts
