Shine the Light Solidarity Bridge Walk raises awareness on domestic violence while creating hope

A beacon of hope shining bright over the Hudson gives us the opportunity to remember and to honor the memory and survivors who are still living. It's a day of unification, solidarity as domestic violence survivors, advocates and organizations meet on the Mario Cuomo Bridge for the annual Shine the Light Solidarity Bridge Walk, raising awareness on domestic violence. The numbers have been going up unfortunately. I think people are coming to the realization that domestic violence is more than just a physical thing. We are seeing that if numbers are going up, awareness is happening. Empowerment is happening. Two of those walking Thursday, family members of Gabby Petito. There's so many Gabbys out there. She's not the only one. It happens every day where someone that's supposed to love them takes their partner, and it needs to stop. So this is really just to start to keep fighting. The Long Island native was killed by her fiancé in 2021. Gabby was beautiful inside and out. She had a light about her that you don't see often. But to see so many people come together is amazing. It's just, we know that there is hope out there. Advocates out here say that hope is important. They tell us resources are here for those who need them, and their fight to end the violence is far from over. Super, super grateful for the next steps that we're all going to take collectively to change our communities and empower them for the next. Melanie Palmer, News 12.