Community Organization ‘Walking for Peace’ in Response to Recent Violence in Pasadena

A Pasadena organization is inviting the community to join them in “Walking for Peace” on Saturday as they make a stand against a recent surge of violence seen in the city, culminating in four killings last month.

The nonprofit group My TRIBE Rise is planning the socially distanced gathering from 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at the Holy Assembly Church of God in Christ, 55 E. Villa St.

My TRIBE Rise Co-Founder Heavenly Hughes said the event was intended to bring light to several issues that need attention in the community.

“We want to talk about mental well-being. We want to talk about promoting and advocating for unity and solidarity in our community. We want to talk about putting a stop to the senseless violence that we see happening,” she said. “Whether it’s Pasadena or Altadena, we want to address that and we want the community to come together to address the fact that we want the violence to stop.”

Social distancing will be in place, and masks and gloves will be available for distribution, Hughes said.

“The safety and health of the community are just as important to us,” she said.

“I know with COVID-19 that some people may not want to come out, but we feel that is important for the families of these young folks that are out here doing this shooting and killing to come together and state that this needs to come to an end,” according to Hughes.

“We’re hoping that due to the [increase] in violence, that people will want to come out and make a stand advocating for peace,” she said.

But the pandemic has not brought an end to violence, so efforts to bring peace must continue, as well, she said.

“We see that there are people continually out there committing crimes. We are seeing violence. We’re seeing shooting and killing. If that’s still happening, then it’s necessary for us to still advocate for peace. It’s necessary for a positive energy to still be ushered into our community.”

The group is seeking to not only highlight problems but also the solidarity that exists in the Pasadena community.

“It’s necessary to show that this uprise in violence that they’re saying between Black and Brown that’s happening, that there’s something other than just this violence happening,” she said.

“Black and Brown people are coming together in peace, and this event is emphasizing Black and Brown, Bloods and Crips, council members, law enforcement, community and TRIBE coming together, showing that there is a possibility. We are able to come together in peace,” she said.

More information on My TRIBE Rise can be found on the organization’s web page at mytriberise.com, as well as on the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/IAMPEACEMOVEMENT.

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