Victims’ fund reaches $70K
By Daily Press staff
The community continued the healing process Wednesday during a day of remembrance on the week anniversary of the farmer’s market tragedy.
Hundreds of people showed up during the farmer’s market to listen to more than a dozen clergy and members of the community offer words of wisdom and prayer about what happened last week.
“I thought it would be easier to do this, to talk about this, as the days went by,” said Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom to hundreds of people gathered at the shrine located at Arizona Avenue and Third Street on Wednesday. “And while it hasn’t gotten much easier, as I stand and listen to many of these great leaders in our community provide spiritual guidance, I am comforted...”
At 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, a procession of clergy walked west on Arizona Avenue, following the path that 86-year-old Russell Weller’s car took, stopping at the same place the Buick LeSabre did after it struck the last victim. There, they observed a moment of silence.
The crowd grew as the 1 p.m. ceremony went on, piling up with passersby, many of whom appeared to be on their lunch break or were shopping.
During the moment of silence at 1:47 p.m. — the approximate time Weller came through the market — a gong was hit 10 times in honor of all 10 victims. Interfaith council members, along with Mayor Bloom, lit 10 candles in honor of the victims. Church bells throughout the city could be heard in the foreground. The market — and all surrounding areas of the market — fell completely silent.
Many people bowed their heads, some fought back tears, others couldn’t keep themselves from sobbing.
A few mothers clutched their children a little tighter during some of the prayers, including one prayer from a pastor who urged the crowd to value each moment because life could be over before you know it.
He added to never leave home with madness or hate because you may never come home again, just like the 10 who died last week.
A poem written and read by 9-year old Shirley Good, who is going into fourth grade at John Muir Elementary, included messages like “let’s hope guardian angels are by their side, guardian their way.”
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Mike Gruning announced during the memorial that a fund for victims of the accident has received $70,000 in donations.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 24, 2003. Read the original PDF.