United Players - march " Silence the Violence" a grand success to the steps of City Hall.

United Players led by well known youth organizer Rudy Corpuz, a leader that has worked tirelessly to prevent VIOLENCE all over our City of San Francisco - led a march entitled " SILENCE THE VIOLENCE' to the steps of City Hall. The march was a grand success.

There before a large crowd at the steps of City Hall - speakers from many organizations articulated well and addressed the many issues facing our great City of San Francisco. Among the many pressing issues the issues - violence, death, and incarceration.

It was a pleasure to see so many mothers, children, youth , adults all focused on the issue of violence that has caused so much pain. Even as the speakers were addressing VIOLENCE - one speaker announced that in the Tenderloin near by there was a shooting that ended in death.

The many Community Based Organizations that have worked so hard to address violence and the many Community Based Organizations that have been working to serve the community that our City has neglected - have had their funding cut to bare bones - in this difficult times. This is a crying shame.

After the speech making White Balloons were released and the many children who were releasing the Balloons were thinking of the many young and old that were killed. I asked a few why the were releasing the balloons and what was the significance and I was impressed when they told me of those that were no more, those killed and shot at. They all spoke about PEACE.

Rudy Corpuz whose organization serves those around Sixth Street near Folsom has taken the message to the many schools in San Francisco. In groups trained by him the speakers talk about gang violence, family, love for one another. In short this Brother loves to walk the walk - he hates meetings where people sit down and talk for hours with no action.

Rudy Corpuz also leads groups to go visit our jails. I went on a couple of trips with him to San Quentin. I have gone to other jails with other groups. However, when Rudy organized the trips to the jails - he takes care of everything and always has some music, dancing, and fun for those incarcerated. Many of these brothers have been incarcerated because they was no one to defend them. And many are in jails because they were framed. Incarceration is a trillion dollar business and many Correctional Officers - love to see incarceration numbers go up.

I have known Rudy Corpuz for a long time and whenever I can lend a helping hand - I do so. Today, I was busy at City Hall with the Budget Process - but I kept getting text messages about the meeting on the steps of City Hall and the United Players. So, I decided to leave the Budget Process and venture to the meeting and be with the HOOD.

It was fun to meet and hug the many that know me. Often times I get caught up with the affairs at City Hall that are important - but, it is a nice feeling to be with the youth and those that love the youth. Surely, as the photographs will reveal to you all - there were many children - well cared and well loved.

Rudy Corpuz has saved many lives and there are hundreds out there that are grateful to him for saving their lives.

I heard the many leaders that work so hard to save lives and Silence the Violence that has hit our neighborhoods. Unity and Love can bring about change. Opportunities can help but what is most important is genuine leadership that nurtures our children. We must learn to LOVE our children but what is more to say that we LOVE them again and again.

The gathering on the steps was diverse - it was like a rainbow. There was a lot of love, lots of hugs, and lots of smiles. It made all feel good and that is what life is all about. Life is for the living not the living dead.

Kudos to Rudy Corpuz and the United Players.


Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy

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