Marchers offer message of peace in a neighborhood marred by violence

As a parade of people walked along on West 88th Street approaching Grand Avenue in South L.A., neighbors came out of their homes to watch.

“Stop the violence, save our children,” the marchers proclaimed. Their signs read “Give love to your fellow men and women,” and “Stop the killing.”

Jose Rivas and his wife, Cecilia, watched from their doorstep. Cecilia snapped photos on her phone.

"I think it's fantastic,” Jose Rivas said. The couple moved here 10 years ago and said that sometimes it gets dangerous.

Nearly 200 people marched a 2-mile route Saturday that extended north on Figueroa Street and south on Broadway.

The event was an effort by the newly-formed Vermont-Manchester Collaborative, which includes law enforcement from the city and county, nonprofit organizations and religious and gang intervention groups. The collaborative was formed after a Los Angeles Times article in January profiled a community in the area with the county's highest homicide rate.

“There are some great signs of hope,” said David O'Connell, a pastor with St. Michael's Church off West Manchester Avenue. He's seen various efforts over the years to reduce violence and help the community.

At the march, Jeryl Bryant held a picture of her slain nephew with his daughter above her head. Kenneth Robinson, 27, was shot June 13, 2005, in Vermont Square.

“We need community support; we need our voices to be heard,” she said.

Bryant, who lives in the area, said she worries about her 28-year-old son every day.

Near the end of the route, Derrick Zacheary, 64, watched and waved as people passed.

“I think it's a good thing because we need to stop the violence,” he said.

Moments later, he shouted “Peace!” to the crowd.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Photo: Rev. Grove Durham leads hundreds of demonstrators on a march and rally in an effort to take back their South L.A. community once called "death alley" by law enforcement. Credit: Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times