Stories of Resistance is sponsored by the Resource Center for Nonviolence to lift up movement memories in Santa Cruz County and inspire future activism. In the last 50 years local activists have conducted many actions and campaigns resisting colonialism, violence, racism, exploitation of people and the environment. Story telling about personal and political impacts, racial dynamics encountered, and learnings for future organizing will help us transform our society and ourselves.
Ticket info: Tickets are free
Leaders of the Watsonville Peace and Unity March will tell their stories of community organizing for neighborhood peace at RCNV Sunday, September 24, at 2:00 pm. Stories of Resistance presents activists in Santa Cruz County who resist systemic and personal violence.
Watsonville residents have marched for 29 years to end violence in their community. They have always welcomed neighbors from throughout Santa Cruz County.
Luis Alejo, Monterey County Supervisor, will facilitate conversation with community organizer Mariella Renteria and mothers of young people killed by violence in Watsonville. They will tell the story of the Peace & Unity March, how they organized the annual march and remembrance event, and how their organizing brought people together to focus on neighborhood life, youth programs, and improved community-police relations, with a strong impact evident in Watsonville today.
The Watsonville Peace and Unity March is an important story of community creative response to violence, and community collaboration. The marches have impacted community-police relations, community empowerment, and community support for young people.
The Watsonville Peace and Unity March is the oldest annual community peace march. Local leaders such as Luis Alejo and Felipe Hernandez began their community organizing with Brown Berets, joining with Rosa de Ramirez to organize the first Peace and Unity March in 1994. Rosa de Ramirez’ son Antonio was shot at the beach soon after Jorge Cortez, was killed in February, 1994. The march asserts community nonviolence as antidote to violence among gang members, the violence of poverty, domestic violence, and in police-community interactions.
The Stories of Resistance event at RCNV is an important opportunity for North County residents to learn more about community resilience in South County, and how Watsonville lessons may be applied in Santa Cruz. We hope North County residents will join this year’s Watsonville Peace and Unity March. Bring the county together!
Stories of Resistance is sponsored by the Resource Center for Nonviolence to lift up movement memories in Santa Cruz County and inspire future activism.