About 75 people marched through downtown Watsonville Sunday carrying messages of peace on handmade posters and banners, a message that also came through in voice and dance.
The march for a Violence Free Watsonville was headed up by the Brown Berets.
The crowd first met on Second Street at 11am and then marched to Watsonville Plaza, where they gathered to share their hopes with the community in a brief rally and dance performance.
At center stage was the White Hawk Dancers, who have been performing in the Pajaro Valley for the past 45 years. The troupe performed several dances from ancient Mexico in front of the bandstand.
Several people waved their signs with words, “Stop the Violence,” “Youth are Sacred,” “Protect the Children” and “Paz y Liberty.”
“I am here today because of the violence that has been going on the last few days,” said Alina Valdez of Watsonville. I have an elderly mother who is 77, and she is in fear of walking these streets. We need to protect our youth and our elderly and everyone else in the community.”
Maria Moreno, director of the White Hawk dancers, said, “This is a blessing for our community to be out here performing for our community. It’s our job to keep the youth safe. This is what needs to be done.”
Watsonville has been like this forever. Get over it. There is absolutely nothing in Watsonville for anyone to do. You want to have fun? Go out of town. There’s nothing here. Think about it. Santa Cruz, Salinas, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Jose. They have everything.
STOP THE VIOLENCE! ALL YOUTH ARE SACRED AND OUR COMMUNITY IS SACRED! There is a lot of things we can do heal our community, and empower our community. Doing nothing is not the answer!
Wait a minute… Although there is not much fun activities here does not mean we simply choose to accept violence. Just a citizen is an example of a passive bitter sorry person whose message of “get over it” is reflective of his attitude towards our community. Some choose to rise, be the spark for change not the amplifier of negativity.
Maria Moreno, director of the White Hawk dancers, said, “This is a blessing for our community to be out here performing for our community. It’s our job to keep the youth safe. ” This is the same Maria who defended her husband- a convicted child molester. How is she still director of a children’s group???
Don’t believe me, look him up- Jesus Medina. Go through the archives. Why do you think our past politicians no longer associate with this group.
I made a mistake, I admit I was wrong about my last post. It’s just my niece really got hurt. She’s still healing from it. Bless her. May God have mercy on the innocent.