VRC rally, memorial for Rogers-Buckner held

“2-4-6-8, no more date rape!”

On Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m., this chant could be heard down the streets of Wilkes-Barre during a Victims Rights Rally held by the local Victims Resource Center (VRC). Wilkes University students, other area colleges and local community members participated in a walk from campus to the VRC. In addition to the rally, a memorial was held for the recently deceased Kewaii Rogers-Buckner, a sophomore nursing student at Wilkes University who was murdered in her home, an alleged victim of domestic violence.

Valerie Martinez, senior communication studies major, led the chant while many people marched behind her. The Victims Rights Rally for crime prevention occurs every April in honor of the National Victims Rights Rally. This year was its 25-year celebration.

As the crowd marched down River Street, up Market Street and eventually to South Franklin Street, cars honked to show support for the rally. By the time participants arrived at the VRC, there were approximately 100 people gathered. Students from Miscercordia University and Luzerne County Community College were there, along with the King’s College football team.

During the event, several speakers presented at the podium, including survivors of violence. Some of the survivors were victims of sexual abuse, arson, gun violence, and rape.

Within the crowd of people, several students carried a sign in Roger-Buckner’s honor.

After the walk, the memorial for Kewaii Rogers-Buckner began at 7:30 p.m. Several professors, co-workers, friends and students spoke about the much missed student who was the mother of three. People who walked in the march were required to buy a t-shirt, which contributed to the VRC and a portion of it will be given to Rogers-Buckner’s children.

Veronica Marzonie, senior nursing student and a student coordinator of the event explained, “The memorial was a chance for those who knew her to say farewell and to hopefully gain some semblance of closure.”

Rogers-Buckner worked full-time as a respiratory therapist at Mount Pocono Medical Center while she attended school full-time and raised her children. She arrived in Wilkes-Barre following her displacement during Hurricane Katrina. Although she was very busy, many people spoke about her smile and her positive attitude.

“I think that for those of us in nursing, the best thing we can do to honor Kewaii is to finish our degrees, something she wanted so much, and to live and work each day being the best nurses that we possibly can,” said Marzonie. “If we provide compassionate care and advocate for those in need, like we are at this event, we will honor her memory and hopefully she will see and it will bring her peace,” she added.

“We can’t change the past but we can affect the future, this walk and memorial is one way,” Marzonie added. According to attendees, the event provided strength and unity, as well as an opportunity to do something about a situation nobody had control over.

Erin Bufford, sophomore nursing student, was in charge of a portion of the memorial.

“I think it went well really well,” Bufford stated, “Considering the rain situation held up for us, it was a good turnout.” She explained that they are going to continue selling the t-shirts to raise money to send to Roger-Buckner’s children.

Megan Boone, community service coordinator, also helped coordinate the rally event, which she noted takes about two months to organize.

“We had a lot of student participation,” said Boone. “We really couldn’t have done it without the help from our student coordinators,” she added. They also received tremendous support from people at the VRC. Furthermore, Boone felt the event was a nice way to showcase where the VRC is located and it was nice to have the survivors speak who have received helped from VRC.

“I think not only does crime affect everyone, but people don’t have to be victims. They can be survivors,” Boone commented, “There are resources and counselors available, not only on campus but at the Victims Resource Center that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” Next year, she hopes that even more people join them in the rally.

Pat Rushton, VRC outreach & education manager, was present at both events. This semester, he instructed a men’s group course on Wilkes campus. It is a five course program that teaches men about sexual violence. Rushton worked with Dr. Mischelle Anthony, assistant professor of English and Boone to coordinate the program for eight or nine Wilkes male students.

“The five-week program educates men about what we can do as men to try to stop sexual violence on this campus and influence [positive] behaviors,” Rushton said. “It is to empower men to start impacting change, change in attitudes and of course, behaviors,” he added.

Students participated in role plays, scenarios and watched educational videos. The program ran from February to March this year. They are hoping to continue the program next spring semester. In the fall, Rushton will be instructing King’s College students.