More than 200 attend peace rally in Pasadena in wake of recent violence
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Pasadena-area community leaders staged a peace and unity rally Sunday to denounce recent violence that claimed the life of longtime youth sports leader and community activist Victor McClinton, among others.
About 250 people gathered on the steps of All Saints Episcopal Church near City Hall for the afternoon rally to hear city leaders, clergy members and law enforcement officials discuss ways to stem the violence.
“It was a call for peace and for the community to come together in light of some of the recent gang violence and shootings that have occurred,” said William Boyer, a Pasadena public information officer.
Speakers included the Rev. Ed Bacon of All Saints, Pastor Jean Burch of Community Bible Church, Pastor Kerwin Manning of Pasadena Church, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and Police Chief Phillip Sanchez and a respresentative of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“The message was, we need to do something about all the gun violence that seems to be happening across the country,” Boyer said. “It can’t just be the city alone. It has to be the public, the clergy, parents and young people. It has to be a collaborative effort. We have to take back the city, say no to gangs and say no to guns. We have to turn it into a message of hope for young people.”
About 400 people gathered Thursday evening at Pasadena City Hall to mourn McClinton, who was killed by stray gunfire Christmas morning.
McClinton, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department technician, died outside his home in the 1900 block of Newport Avenue. A second man, who may have been the target of the drive-by shooting, was wounded by gunfire, according to police.
McClinton, 49, founded the Brotherhood Community Youth Sports League nearly two decades ago and served as its volunteer director, the Pasadena Sun reported.
Two others also died Christmas Day after a driver, being pursued by police, crashed into a minivan. Tracey Ong Tan, 26, of Glendale and an 11-year-boy from Daly City, Calif., were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other occupants of the minivan suffered serious injuries.
On Friday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office filed murder charges, with an enhancement for gang activity, against Darrell Lee Williams, 22, of Pasadena and Brittany Michelle Washington, 21, of Los Angeles. Williams is accused of driving the Dodge Durango that struck the minivan. Washington was a passenger in the Durango. Two other passengers were not charged. All four occupants of the Durango sustained moderate injuries.
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