Marsy's Law for Wisconsin Leads Effort to 'Go Purple' for National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Landmarks across Wisconsin will be lit in purple lights, joining in the national commemoration of victims' rights as the state recognizes five years of Marsy's Law in action

Madison, WI – Major landmarks across Wisconsin are being lit in purple lights next week to promote statewide recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) and celebrate the five-year anniversary of the April 7, 2020 ratification vote of Wisconsin's crime victims' rights constitutional amendment, commonly known as Marsy's Law. The annual event, which is overseen by the Office for Victims of Crime within the U.S. Department of Justice, is April 6-12.

The purple light effort in the Badger State is organized by Marsy's Law for Wisconsin.

The following landmarks around Wisconsin will join in recognizing NCVRW by participating in the Marsy's Law for Wisconsin Go Purple campaign:

Green Bay

• Downtown Green Bay Bridges (Walnut and Main Street), April 6-12
• Brown County Courthouse, April 6-12
• Resch Expo Center, April 6-12

Milwaukee

• Milwaukee City Hall, April 6-12
• Mitchell Park Domes, April 6-12
• Discovery World (500 N Harbor Dr), April 6
• Hyatt Regency (333 W Kilbourn Ave), April 6
• Lakefront Brewery (1872 N Commerce St), April 6
• MGIC (250 E Kilbourn Ave), April 6

Madison

• Madison Municipal Building, April 6-12

This year's 2025 NCVRW theme is kinship. The theme reminds all of us that we are not so different from one another – and leads us to ask ourselves how we can support and uplift victims of crime.

Marsy's Law for Wisconsin is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the ratification vote of the crime victims' constitutional amendment, Marsy's Law. In April 2020, more than 1.1 million Wisconsin residents cast votes in favor of the amendment. The law was approved with a vast margin of more than 700,000 votes.

"It has been five years since Wisconsin residents banded together to transform our criminal justice system by voting in favor of Marsy's Law," said Nela Kalpic, state director for Marsy's Law for Wisconsin and a domestic abuse survivor. "Since then, victims of crime are being made aware of their rights in the criminal justice system and are more involved throughout the process. They've been empowered and no longer have to take a backseat during such difficult times. We're grateful for all those across the state lighting up purple buildings to support crime victims' rights this year."

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About Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin 
Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is a grassroots coalition that championed a unique proposal to give victims of crime equal rights in our state, building on Wisconsin’s laws and history of leading on this issue. The crime victims’ rights state constitutional amendment, also known as Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, was ratified during the April 7, 2020 election with an overwhelming 75 percent of voters in support.  Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas has made it his life’s mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights