Report from Ventura

Michelle Paschen organized a great rally at the Ventura Court House, followed by a walk to Ventura College. About 30 people attended the rally. David Howard, of Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, told how the death penalty not only does not deter violence, it increases violence. Most of the attendees then walked about two miles to Ventura College. At the college, Vera Ramirez-Crutcher of Oxnard, whose son was murdered, said of the death penalty, “It doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t give closure.” Then Jeff read his moving poem that is posted on this blog and a local minister closed the event.

The local Ventura County Star and AM Radio 570 covered the rally. The next day while I was walking through Carpinteria, a cameraman appeared out of nowhere and asked if he could take my picture. He works for the local newspaper, The Coastal View News. He took several pictures but did not ask any questions. He apparently knew all about our walk and said the pictures would be in the next edition of the paper. The word must be getting out.

By Richard Carlburg