To remember her, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers blocked off a stretch of Camden Road not far from the light rail station where her murder happened to allow people to honor Zarutska’s life. The clear message of the vigil was that this young Ukrainian woman didn’t die in vain.
“I feel like this could’ve been any of us,” said Michael Bermudez, who attended the vigil. “I feel like this could’ve been my family. This could’ve been me. This could’ve been my friends.”
It’s an issue that’s personal and has captured the hearts and minds of people in Charlotte and across the country.
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“If there’s not justice for Iryna, there’s not justice for any of us,” said Latosha Parker, who lives in Charlotte.
One man Queen City News talked with drove eight hours from Jacksonville, Florida, to be at the vigil.
“I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t come by to say goodbye,” said Larry Bradshaw.
He was one of hundreds who came with signs and flowers to leave at the growing memorial for Zarutska at the nearby East/West light rail station.
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People honored the young woman who was stabbed on the Blue Line train back on August 22 through songs, scripture, and prayer. The Mecklenburg County Republican Party and several local churches organized the event.
“We need to stand up as Charlotteans regardless of political stripe and say enough is enough when it comes to safety,” said Chairman Kyle Kirby. “People deserve to be able to move across this wonderful, world-class city of ours without fear of being murdered.”
The hope is that action will come out of this tragedy.
“Too many people want to live in a bubble and they just want to see it on the news, say too bad, too sad, and move on with their lives,” said Bermudez. “I’m not for that.”
CATS leaders are actively working on security changes. Our crews spotted two bike cops patrolling the blue line, which is part of a new initiative recently rolled out.
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“You have to be boots on the ground if you want to see a change,” said Parker.
People are also calling on the East/West Station to be renamed after Zarutska. Above all, the hundreds who showed up Monday night want to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again in Charlotte.
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