18th Annual Watsonville Peace and Unity March

Saturday, October 29, 2011
18TH ANNUAL PEACE & UNITY MARCH IN WATSONVILLE!

Residents Say Remaining Proactive Against Violence Has Made Big Difference!
Event will honor local residents who lost their lives to domestic and street violence.

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, hundreds of local residents will be joining the 18TH ANNUAL WATSONVILLE PEACE & UNITY MARCH which will take place at noon on the Watsonville Plaza. The Peace ceremony begins at NOON. We march at 1PM SHARP. Several community leaders, family members of victims of violence and youth will be addressing the effects of violence on our communities.

“This march is an ongoing effort to stop the destruction of our youth and community by violence,” said Sandino Gomez, an organizer of the Watsonville Peace and Unity Coalition. “It creates a community consciousness about becoming actively involved in reducing violence and improving our neighborhoods for our future generations.”

“Remaining proactive against violence has made a tremendous difference,” said Yovanna Bravo, an event organizer. “After this march first began seventeen years ago, we have seen other efforts emerge throughout our city to bring peace and unity to all our homes, schools, and neighborhoods, and to keep awareness and action focused on building positive community here in Watsonville.”

ALL FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO VIOLENCE ARE INVITED TO SET UP AN ALTAR BEFORE THE PEACE CEREMONY BEGINS AT NOON. This yearly event continues to be organized by a coalition of concerned students, parents, community-based organizations, churches and families who have lost their loved ones to community violence. We will never forget the names of our loved ones lost.

We will also be presenting the “Barrio Warrior” award to one of our local educators, artists and community advocates, Jovita Molina!!! It is an honor to give Jovita this award for her tireless organizing, cultural work and participation in improving our community.


This will also be a Day of the Dead celebration. Community is invited to set up Dia de Los Muertos altars.

We hope you can cover our 18-year anniversary of this very important event that is primarily organized by Watsonville residents and youth!

WHAT: The 18th Annual Watsonville Peace & Unity March
WHEN: Saturday, October 29, 2011
TIME: NOON Opening Ceremony, 1PM March Begins
WHERE: Ceremony on City Plaza & March will take place throughout various neighborhoods.