Over 100 marchers started their journey at "Justice Corner" and ended up at the A.M.E. church in West Fresno where a new civil and human rights organization was born. The theme of the march was to support social justice. Signs supporting Health Care for All, Stopping the War in Iraq, ending Police Brutality, and calling for an end to homelessness could be seen throughout the crowd. The diversity at the march was striking and attracted significant attention as it wound its way through poor and working class neighborhoods. Horns from passing cars honked in support.

A program of speakers, on a variety of social justice issues, addressed the growing crowd at the church. Bill Simon, president of Peace Fresno, spoke passionately about ending the war and invited everyone to the Rally in the Valley which will take place on Sunday, March 18. See www.peacefresno.org for more information.

Gloria Hernandez spoke about the need for an Independent Police Auditor and the need to end police brutality. Gloria is a member of the Central California Criminal Justice Committee who is working to establish an Independent Police Auditor in Fresno. You can find more about that effort at www.cccjc.org .

Several speakers told the audience about their family's incidents with the police. The father of Everardo Torres said his son was arrested by the Madera police (Madera is about 20 miles North of Fresno) and was in the back of a patrol car. His hands were cuffed behind his back when a Madera police officer opened the car door and shot him through the heart.

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