2:30pm | In an effort to unite the community and remember family members and friends lost to violence, a peace march organized by teachers, community leaders and organizers alike will be held at the end of this month. Organizers are touting the event as Peace 4 LB.
“We thought there was a need for this type of voice, this type of involvement,” says Carrie Beltran, a teacher at Wilson High School who has been one of the event’s main facilitators. Beltran and others concerned with local youth violence began planning about three months ago for the March 27 event. A 9:00am rally will be held at Cesar Chavez Elementary that includes community meetings and workshops, followed by the march and celebration from 12:00pm-3:00pm.
“We have lots of people in this community that have lost family members to violence and they really wanted to stand up for peace and community involvement,” Beltran says.
Fliers for the event encourage participants to bring signs, pictures and t-shirts in remembrance of their lost loved ones. The group lists is mission as follows:
“To advocate for peace and raise awareness of the effects of youth violence through shared experiences, group dialogue, and partnerships with schools and community members of Long Beach.”
Click here to join the Peace 4 LB rally Facebook page.
Local students and other youth will entertain the crowds with performances during the rally. Tryouts are being held next Tuesday and anyone interested can contact [email protected].