Families, cops, former gang members, mourners, city officials
and community activists all marched to the same beat today for the
sake of peace.
View more photos of the Peach March at our
Sunday’s peace march stayed to the sidewalk without flowing onto the street, but many saw the loud public statement as the first step toward uniting a community torn by violence.
“We’re putting some walk to all our talk,” said Chon Catano, a life-long Gilroyan and former gang member who marched the length of Eigleberry Street with about 100 other people Sunday afternoon to promote peace. Dozens like him said their walking helped unite the community to prevent more gang-related violence after the mid-day shooting death of 18-year-old Larry Martinez Jr. earlier this month.
“That doesn’t mean we should hide in our houses,” Catano said. “This march helps set an example for the kids out there.”
Police Chief Denise Turner also stepped among crowd, and about four police cruisers continually blocked off intersections for safe crossings. Some marchers said the department’s precaution actually deterred youth from walking for fear of arrest, but at the end of the march Turner stressed the department’s intent.
“We’re partners with the community,” she told the crowd gathered in front of St. Mary Church, which sits on First Street where Eigleberry Street ends. “It warms my heart to see you all here today.”
It also surprised many drivers passing by and the residents along Eigleberry Street. Dozens of front-yard barbecuers, mothers holding children, teenagers talking on stoops and men standing in driveways stared at the procession with looks of surprise, confusion and hope.
“Si se puede!” the crowd shouted as onlookers gazed at signs that read, “Gilroy families united for peace,” “Peace in our streets!” and “Stop the violence!” Incoming Gilroy Unified School District board member Fred Tovar gave his old campaign signs for people to tape their home-made posters onto, and he dragged a red plastic wagon full of bottled water for marchers to take when their voices grew weary.
In between sips, though, Councilman Peter Arellano stoked the crowd’s cheers with his megaphone and called to curious watchers.
“Come on! Join us! It’s a peace march!” Arellano explained loudly to one man who leaned on his fence and shot back a thumbs-up. Another lady ran up to Arellano to grab a neon green flyer advertising community services provided by Voz de la Gente, an area nonprofit.
All this made Father Hugo Rojas of St. Mary smile.
“This just shows everybody how much we all want to live in peace,” Rojas said. “It’s a very strong way to say something when you walk.”
And dance.
Outside St. Mary, plumes of incense smoke and Robert Castro’s incessant, booming drum beat resonated throughout the audience. His rapid shots of bass moved a colorful, head-feathered troupe of thirteen young women – known as Izkalli – who talked back with the miniature maracas strapped to their ankles. They performed ancient Aztec dances that one dancer said has helped her avoid some of life’s dangers.
“Dancing is a way to stay out of drugs and violence. I have friends who are into that and into gangs, but this is a way out,” said Noemi Torres, a Hollister 19-year-old.
Castro, the drummer, works at El Portal Charter School in northeast Gilroy with Art Barron, who also serves as program coordinator at Projecto Movimiento, a community nonprofit run in connection with the Mexican-American Community Services Organization and the YMCA.
These nonprifts and several others met and spoke with hundreds of residents throughout the last week to try and get the word out about the march, but Sunday’s attendance seemed lower than what many expected – at least until next time.
“We’re small, but next time we’ll be bigger,” Arellano said at the end of the rally outside the church. He attended a meeting last week at El Portal, where various community groups and more than 180 residents talked about gang violence and Sunday’s march. Immediately following that meeting, about 100 people attended a separate gathering to discuss the same topic. The police department and the rest of the city council led that meeting, but Arellano was the only council member to attend Sunday’s march, along with City Administrator Tom Haglund and Gilroy Unified School District board member Jaime Rosso and Monica Fernandez, Martinez’s mother. Mayor Al Pinheiro said Monday that he intended to make it but had something come up.
“This is a good first step,” Haglund said as four police officers stood in the background. “Let this be the first step toward undoing gang violence and coming together.”
Fernandez – who grew up in Gilroy and said drugs, sex and gangs affected her young life to the point that she even carried a .22 caliber pistol – implored residents to think more about rehabilitation than incarceration, something her son endured for four years. He was shot and killed a week after his release.
She also encouraged people to stabilize their families with two parents and the teachings of Christianity, as she and her friends said she has striven to do.
“We need change and we need it now,” Fernandez said, adding that counseling for troubled youth and stellar witness protection programs will help, too. Family friend Rey Palacios also urged people to see the good in everyone.
“At one point I was considered someone who was hopeless and worthless,” said Palacios, who grew up across the street from Martinez on Rogers Lane. “What you have to understand is that all these kids in gangs are really good people who grew up in the wrong direction.”
Palacios concluded with a prayer and then went with the rest of Martinez’s family to Sue’s Coffee Shop, at the corner of 5th and Monterey streets. There, a group of Christian bikers, residents and a blues-flavored band joined in prayer and music.
“We came to help (Martinez’s) family and to give them the love of God,” said Ron Santos, a 2-year member of Cross Ministry’s San Jose chapter. Cross Ministry has more than 250 members representing more than 30 churches spanning the south Bay Area, including the local Gilroy chapter of 10 riders.
“We just need to be out here,” Santos said.
