AUSTIN, Texas — While many mothers are gathering with their families to celebrate Mother's Day, some are marching for justice.

For those families who have lost loved ones at the hands of police, Mother’s Day is a hard day to celebrate.

The family of Alex Gonzales is honoring their son’s memory by marching in the streets of East Austin. Alex Gonzales was shot and killed by Austin police after an encounter with an off-duty officer. 

His mother Elizabeth Gonzales says her son always made people laugh. His favorite holiday was Easter because he liked to crack eggs on everyone’s head, which became a tradition in the family.  

“I miss my son, he was my buddy, he was my best friend, when they killed that, when they killed him, they killed me,” she said. 

The march ended at Chicano Park, where organizers of the event revealed a mural of Alex Gonzales to the family.  

In the body camera footage, Gonzales is seen reaching into the backseat when officers open fire. The family says he was checking on the mother of his child, who was also shot, and his baby.

Members of the community, social justice groups and nonprofits said they would remember Gonzales as a hero who died protecting his family.  

But the celebration wasn’t just to honor the Gonzales family, but to stand with other families and mothers in the Black and Brown community who have lost loved ones at the hands of law enforcement like Brenda Ramos. Her son Mike Ramos was killed by Austin police in 2020.  

“Mother’s Day is tomorrow and it breaks my heart because he always brought me flowers and a card every time,” Ramos said. 

The Ramos and Gonzales family weren’t the only ones at the event who knew this pain. George Floyd’s brother Travis Cains also came to the event to show his support.  

“I will come out and fight for the Mike Ramoses, the Alex Gonzaleses, you know, it’s what I do as a human rights activist now,” Cains said.  

By showing up for each other, these grieving families never have to feel alone.