Rainier Valley residents march against violence

Seattle residents protested Saturday morning against violence in the Rainier Valley -- by taking to their feet and walking peacefully in the street.

Leaders from the Jubilee Christian Center organized the peace march, which drew about 150 people. The march stretched along a two-mile route on Rainier Avenue South from Rainier Beach High School to Aki Kurose Middle School.

At least 14 young people have been killed in the south King County area since December, said Washington Talaga, Jubilee center pastor.

"We're ready to take our streets back. It's unacceptable," Talaga said. "God pressed something in my heart that we needed to do something."

Talaga and other marchers said they learned about some of the deaths from community members. Other marchers said that some of the deaths have gone unreported by the news media.

The number includes people like Perry Henderson, 18, who was at a party Jan. 26 when a fight broke out. He died Feb. 6. Jonathan James Hall, 18, has been arrested in connection with that shooting and was charged last month with second-degree murder. Investigators say the men fought over a young woman.

Marchers on Saturday morning just want the violence to stop.

"We're tired of seeing our kids kill themselves," said Deryl Davis-Bell of the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. "I'm hoping we can come together regardless of differences."

Marchers pointed to dysfunctional families and the availability of drugs and guns as part of the problem.

Promoting peace is so important for Lanai Tua of West Seattle that the 29-year-old said she fasted this week.

"We're not here to judge others. Only God can judge."

Jordan Savini, a towering 14-year-old, also looked to a greater power for help.

"We're trying to pray to get the violence out of the area," the Rainier Valley resident said.

Pastor Talaga hopes Saturday's peace march will build momentum for future anti-violence rallies. He said he hopes area businesses will step in to offer internships or training programs to help young people.

"We want them to know that education is a way out," he said. "There needs to be a wider vision to tell our kids that there's hope."