LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A group gathered in the central Las Vegas valley Wednesday night to remember the lives of two transgender women murdered in Las Vegas this year.

They also told 8 News Now they came together to protest local law enforcement while the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s sheriff and officers held a panel to hear their concerns.

“They say they represent us,” Angel Miaroano said of police. “But they don’t care.”

Salvador Duer said he, Miaroano, and others were standing up and honoring 18-year-old Jazlynn Johnson and Sasha Williams.

“Jazlynn Johnson and Sasha Williams,” Duer said. “We are here to say their names.”

According to police, Johnson was shot and killed two months ago, while Williams was stabbed to death earlier this year. 

“We may not have known them before in the walks of life,” Duer added. “But now we are going to remember them.”

Duer told 8 News Now law enforcement isn’t doing enough to help their community, but Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said his department is working hard to build trust.

“The importance is for me to come together here with my officers,” Sheriff McMahill said. “Many of which are part of this community, to have a real conversation.”

The LGBTQIA+ Community Center of Southern Nevada partnered with The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for a community panel to discuss and hear concerns.

“There are 18,000 police departments in this country and I only control one of them,” Sheriff McMahill said. “The one that I control will work with all kinds of people.”

Both sides told 8 News Now that they are doing what they can to make real changes in Southern Nevada.

“One day it could be us,” Duer concluded. “That are the names that need to be said.”

When 8 News Now asked Sheriff McMahill about protesters outside Wednesday’s event, he called it an indication that the department needs to work harder to get through to everyone.

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