Gov. Bill Walker led about 100 people in a Choose Respect rally and march through Juneau on Thursday.
The statewide initiative to raise awareness about Alaska’s high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault started six years ago, and grew in prominence after being embraced by former Gov. Sean Parnell.
Funding for prevention of such crimes has been cut nearly in half in the proposed budget for next year, as the state faces a multibillion dollar shortfall. Advocates say the cuts will slow down, but not stop their work.
Casey Kelly is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
