WILMINGTON — On May 13, more than a hundred people called for an end to the ongoing violence by marching down Pacific Coast Highway in Wilmington.
The Peace March was organized by the Victory Outreach Church of Carson along with such other community groups as the Los Angeles chapter of the Parents of Murdered Children, United Wilmington Youth Foundation, I Heart Wilmington; all walked the one mile to Banning Museum park, chanting, “We want peace!” and “No more shootings!”
Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, church clergy and community leaders held signs showing the names and faces of the murder victims. Donna Arviso Narez walked in remembrance of her son, Daniel Arviso, 19, who was murdered by gang members in 2007 while walking home in Wilmington.
“Two guys and a girl murdered him in Ghost Town [East Wilmington] as a part of a gang initiation,” Donna lamented as she held her sign showing her son’s face.
Likewise, the families of victims, such as Mark Gonzalez, James Dominguez or Anthony Iniguez, are pressing for justice and an end to the violence.
The Los Angeles Police Department escorted the demonstrators, as did a bicycle brigade of mostly children, providing protection from vehicle traffic. Many cars passing by on Pacific Coast Highway cheered before honking their horns in support.
Between April 18 and May 15, there have been four homicides in the Los Angeles Harbor, an increase of 33 percent over the previous month, which saw three homicides between March 21 and April 17.
There has been a 117 percent increase in homicides over 2020 and a 160 percent increase over 2019. The rise in violent crime over the past couple of years after a long period of decline belies modern policing’s limitations in promoting public safety
The demonstrators finished the march by gathering in a circle as Pastor Hector Cruz of the Victory Outreach Church led the group in somber prayers for the victims.
“We got to start with the kids, you got to get them early,” said Cruz, when asked what the community can do to prevent more gang violence. “They need an outlet, role models, something….”
Cathy Familathe, the leader of the Los Angeles chapter of the Parents of Murdered Children also addressed the gathering, sympathizing with everyone who lost a loved one to violence and emphasizing the importance of continuing to speak out.
“Losing someone to murder is not the same as cancer or a car accident.” Familathe stated. “The families struggle to ask themselves what got in the [perpetrator’s] heads? (She then pointed with her microphone.) Everyone here knows what it feels like to lose someone.”
Just before the crowd was about to be led into a moment of silence, a mother, Sammy Martinez, referenced the police officers present as she shouted, “But you support the number one gang members … the LAPD?”
Martinez’s son, Ernie Serrano, was a victim of police brutality leading to his death in Riverside in December 2020. Martinez was in attendance to support her friend, Valerie Rivera, whose son, Eric Rivera was shot and killed by Los Angeles Police officers in Wilmington in June 2017. Familathe, still presiding over the gathering, responded to Sammy,
“If your son was murdered by a police officer, then you have a seat at my table,” she said, as she pointed to the table behind her with the names and pictures of the victims. “Your son or daughter’s picture belongs on that board if they were murdered by a police officer.”
Among those in attendance included representatives from Rep. Nanette Barragán, California State Assemblyman Mike Gipson and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.