Tired of the violence in their southeastern Santa Ana neighborhood, a group of residents more than 200 strong took to the streets Friday, chanting “tus hijos son como los mios,” which translates to “your children are like my children.”
The walk, which began and ended at Walker Elementary School, was the neighborhood’s second “Walk for Peace” since a spate of shootings near Santa Ana High School began near the end of June.
The peace walks are in direct response to a student from Santa Ana High being critically injured by another teen on his way home from school in early June.
Marcos Huerta, a resident of the community, spoke about the importance of family unity at the beginning of the walk: “Tienes que participar, te tiene que importar.” This translates to: “You have to participate, it has to matter to you.”
Along the walk’s final route was a community block party, which included organizations such as Committee Poder, the Santa Ana Work Center, Latino Health Access, SACRED, and the Santa Ana Public Library’s Teen Space.
Leaders said the residents will continue their peace walks in areas where there has recently been violence.
The next walk is scheduled for Aug. 3 and near Madison Park on Standard Avenue. For information, call Nancy Mejia at 714-542-7792 or email her at nmejia@latinohealthaccess.org.