'Summer of Peace' advocates remember '93

Officials, survivors vow to prevent repeat of violence

Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 22, 2007 at midnight

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Fourteen years after Denver's deadly "Summer of Violence," former gang members stood alongside city leaders Thursday to kick off what they hope will become known as the "Summer of Peace."

The crowd of about 40 people gathered on the first day of summer in front of the City and County Building and vowed to do what they could to prevent a repeat of 1993.

Manager of Safety Al LaCabe, former Manager of Safety Fidel "Butch" Montoya, and police Chief Gerry Whitman tried to illuminate the building's tower with white and blue lights to symbolize peace.

But it was still daylight at 8 p.m. and the lights didn't shine brightly.

No matter.

The lights on the tower will be joined by others that will spell out, "Summer of Peace," on the building's facade.

"This lighting is a symbol to let people know that Denver wants peace," said Cathy Maestas, who lost her 16-year-old son, Geranimo, in 1993 to a killer who wanted his Denver Broncos jacket.

"We want to save our kids."

Maestas, who has since formed her anti-violence youth organization, No "Mo" Violence, incorporating her son's nickname, joined others standing behind LaCabe displaying their posters reading "Summer of Peace."

"It simply begins this campaign this summer, but hopefully it lasts for a long long time," LaCabe said.

Former gang member Aqueela Sherrills, organizer of The Reverence Project in Los Angeles, came to Denver to offer his support and advice to curb street gang violence.

Sherrills, who was raised in Los Angeles' tough Watts section, also came to say he was sorry.

"What we started in L.A. is, I mean, it's shameful," Sherrills said.

"And I'm here to apologize to all of the citizens for what I helped to create and perpetuate to a certain extent."

Sherrills gave Denver residents a reason to be optimistic. Although violent crime in Los Angeles continues to fall, he said he believes Denver is doing what it can to keep it from becoming a gang haven like Los Angeles.

"I tell you I think the city of Denver is light years ahead of where L.A. is, and I don't know if there's a real political will to bring an end to the gang situation in the city of L.A.," he said.

Amanda Martinez, 18, said she has achieved two things this year alone that changed her life.

Martinez said she quit her street gang five months ago and graduated from Westminster High School.

"Now that I see the progress that I've made in my life, I want to see other kids change their lives or stop them from going into a bad life, into a bad direction," said Martinez, who grew up with a father in prison and a mother addicted to drugs.

"So I come out here asking for the Summer of Peace, and I want to help kids."

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