Sen. Diamond announces Walk a Mile in Their Shoes tour in memory of Maine children lost to abuse

AUGUSTA – On Friday, Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, announced a two-day walking tour in memory of Maine children who have died from abuse. The Walk a Mile in Their Shoes tour will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 28 and Wednesday, Sept. 29, with stops in several Maine communities that have been touched by fatal child abuse. The public is invited to meet Sen. Diamond, state legislators and other local officials at each stop for brief remarks and a listening session.

“I first got involved with the issue of child abuse in Maine after Logan Marr was killed in 2001, and in the 20 years since then we’ve tragically lost dozens of additional children to abuse and violence,” said Sen. Diamond. “It’s important to make sure these children are never forgotten, and to keep the spotlight on their memories and on the systemic failures that contributed to their deaths. It’s my hope that this tour will allow the public to come together, to remember these kids, and to keep fighting for the reforms and awareness that are so critical to making sure that Maine kids are safe.”

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021:

10 a.m.                 Public meeting at Old Town Park, 170 Main St., Old Town

                                In memory of Hailey Goding

Noon                     Public meeting outside Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., Bangor

1 p.m.                   Public meeting outside of the Ferris Community Center, 318 Wilson St., Brewer

                                In memory of Jaden Harding

4 p.m.                   Public meeting outside the Stockton Springs Town Office, 217 Main St.

                                In memory of Marissa Kennedy and Maddox Williams

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021:

9 a.m.                   The tour departs from Augusta

10 a.m.                 Public meeting outside the Chelsea Town Office, 560 Togus Road, Chelsea

                                In memory of Logan Marr

4 p.m.                   Public meeting outside the Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Road

                                In memory of Kendall Chick

Attendees are encouraged to wear blue in support of child abuse awareness, and to bring any homemade signs in memory of the children who we’ve lost. For more information and to stay updated, RSVP on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/ORzTXogi.

The Walk a Mile in Their Shoes tour is dedicated to Logan Marr, Ethan Henderson, Kendall Chick, Marissa Kennedy, Harper Averill, Jaden Harding, Hailey Goding, Maddox Williams, Sylus Melvin and all Maine children who have suffered and died from violence and abuse. Attached is a fact sheet with information about each child’s case, and about ongoing reforms to Maine’s child protective system.

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