High School Teens Launch 'Season of Peace' To Address Oakland Gun Violence
OAKLAND (KCBS)— Some East Oakland teens, in conjunction with their high school, are launching a 'Season of Peace' as part of a solution to reducing gun violence in their neighborhoods.
The students said it's something Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have wanted, especially in an area wracked by violent crime.
One of three recent young murder victims was five-year-old Gabriel Martinez Jr. who was shot near his family's taco truck in east Oakland last year.
His big sister Gaby Martinez attends Life Academy—the high school that is launching the campaign in an effort to reduce the violence afflicting some neighborhoods.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
"I thought it'd be good to participate with everything that's been happening and I just wanted to be a part of this. To me it means raising awareness about violence," she said.
Gaby plans to take part in a relay fast that will last until Cesar Chavez Day, March 31st. Some students, faculty and staff have pledged to fast at least 24 hours to keep the campaign going.
15-year-old Ashley Hunter said young people want to be part of the solution to the seemingly unrelenting violence.
"Most people might be used to it, but it's like, you're killing innocent five-year-olds, three-year-olds, and one-year-olds. What have they done for you to just kill them for no reason," she asked.
Hunter, along with several other students participated in a day of community service around the school and neighborhood.
They said their actions were in accordance with what Dr. King would have wanted.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
