With joined hands and signing peace hymns, more than 250 residents marched Monday night to show solidarity for youth non-violence.
The peace rally and ensuing candle light procession from St. Anne’s Catholic Church on Colorado Avenue to Douglas Park on Wilshire Boulevard was designed to bring awareness to the multiple tragic teen deaths the city has experienced in recent years.
Last month, Deanna Maran was stabbed to death at a party in West Los Angeles. At the beginning of the school year, a recent Olympic High School graduate was shot in Venice. And last year three Santa Monica- Malibu Unified high school students died tragically, one from suicide.
“Will we not let our children die violent deaths,” said Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Superintendent John Deasy to residents at the peace rally. “This is a beginning to show our children that we believe in them and that we are listening.”
Community leaders spoke to residents gathered at St. Anne’s at a peace rally before the candle light vigil began.
“We want to honor the youth. The youth that have been slain or died tragically,” said Ft. Michael Gutierrez. “At the same time we want to send a message of peace.”
City police officers blocked intersections as the procession crossed through Santa Monica streets. High School students came out in great numbers, joining hands and singing.
“We definitely care about what’s happening and we want to talk about it,” said Justin Brownstone, president of the Santa Monica High School student body. “The entire school has been deeply affected by Deanna’s death.”
Other students, concerned with Maran’s death, marched in hopes of preventing further losses.
“I’m here because I hope this will bring people together,” said Maria, a high school student who did not want to give her last name. “By coming together like this, I hope we can send a strong message.”
Initially, the idea for the vigil started at a small meeting of high school parents shortly after Maran’s murder. The group wrote letters to many community organizations citywide to help plan and participate in the vigil.
“We’re here to show our support to the families and friends of the victims,” said Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr., who walked in the procession with about a half-dozen police officers. “We want to be supportive.”
The march had been planned only for the past 10 days, formally it has existed only since last Friday.
“There was an urgency to bring this together quickly,” said Kathy McTaggart, an event organizer. “We did-n’t want to lose any momentum.”
The police department says overall crime is down citywide. The recent teen deaths have all occurred outside of Santa Monica. And, according to police, violent crime — including gang activity — is down in the Pico neighborhood.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 18, 2001. Read the original PDF.