Salinas holds March for Peace, calling for an end to community violence

Parents who mourn their children killed, and victims of gun, gang and domestic violence.

These are the people who represent a city-wide effort to put an end to the violence. On Oct. 1, Salinas leaders are partnering with local organizations to host a March for Peace.  

Monterey County residents are invited to join the march from Foods Co parking lot on East Alisal Street to Closter Park. 

The park has been a hot spot for violence and gang activity, according to residents. 

In February, a case of mistaken identity led to the shooting deaths of Jesus Arias Villa, 22, and Karina Chavez Vargas, 23. The young couple was sitting in a car across the street from the park when gunshots were fired. 

The park is also where a former community activist, Debbie Aguilar, held rallies and prayer vigils for mothers whose children were killed by gun violence. Her son was also a victim of gun violence.   

Aguilar has since died, but Jose Arreola, Salinas Community Safety Administrator, says he holds her memory close to his heart.

"We chose Closter park for a few reasons and one of them is for Debbie," Arreola said. "There's a tree out there called the Tree of Life by the playground. It's there to memorialize those who lost their lives to violence and she would always host a vigil there every holiday season."

Organizers say they expect at least a few hundred people to be in attendance and encourage more people to join.

"There's a great response from our youth community and a lot of high school students are going to be a part of it," Arreola said. "There's a lot of people that suffer alone in silence and this allows them to gather and call for peace and call for change."

Officials say the march was prompted by the community's long-standing concerns of ongoing gun violence.

Following the recent death of a teenager who was shot and killed in South Salinas on Sept. 15, Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo expressed concerns of that violence is affecting local youth.

"The March for Peace in Salinas is an important way for our community to heal, to never forget those we have lost to violence, and to call for peace in our neighborhoods," Alejo said. "With the recent homicides in our city, we can't just stand by. We must do everything possible to save lives, and call for an end to violence in our community."

Officials say they were also inspired by a similar march that's been held in Watsonville for nearly three decades.

Organizers hope to make the march an annual event. The March for Peace will begin at 2 p.m.