Central Coast residents rally in wake of deadly shootings

UPDATE 7/8/2016 10:15 PM: Activists in Watsonville rallied for peace on Friday, after a deadly week across the country.

“Officers got killed after a peaceful march, then all hell broke loose,” said Tomas Alejo with the Brown Berets.

Alejo said he went to the plaza because he was frustrated that a peaceful protest over police brutality in Dallas turned violent. Five police officers were killed and seven other hurt.

“We believe in non-violence, but we also have to protest and shout out that all this injustice we will not tolerate,” said Alejo about the two men killed in Minnesota and Louisiana by police.

“A lot of the black kids getting killed and no justice done,” said Alejo.

In Santa Cruz, people also gathered by the clock tower urging the violence to stop.

“It’s time for all of us to embrace each other in empathy, compassion and love,” said Curtis Redliford of Santa Cruz.

And while community members are stepping up and speaking out, activists are pushing for local politicians to do the same.

“We have to start putting pressure on local officials and politicians to put money into resources such as better education for our students, youth resources out here, such as sports and activities,” said Michael Garcia with the Brown Berets.

PREVIOUS: Deadly shootings in Dallas, Minnesota and Louisiana, has central coast residents calling for an end to violence.

Tonight in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, community members gathered for peaceful protests.

KION’s Monica Jacquez will have more on this story at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.