Michele Wittig email to Geraldine Moyle, The SAMOHI student memorial march for classmate Eddie Lopez on Mar 11, 2006, at 4:57 AM,
(Kelyn Roberts wrote, "May I post this on Oceanpark.ws?):
"The SAMOHI student memorial march for classmate Eddie Lopez was very well-attended. Oscar de la Torre, Director of the Pico Youth and Family Center and some of his staff were there, as well as some teachers (including Judy Pam-Bycel); Councilmember Kevin McKeown, Frank Gruber from SurfSanta Monica, and quite a few SMPD officers-to keep the crowd on the sidewalks. It appeared that several dozen mothers-and maybe some fathers-marched with their children. Eddie's mother spoke a few words at 7th and Michigan just before the march began. His grandmother was there as well.
"About 500 SAMOHI students and about 50 adults marched. Many chanted slogans and some carried placards or wore T-shirts with Eddie's photo on them. As we marched east on the south side of Pico, many merchants came out to see what was going on and some came forward to hug students they knew. Some motorists also signalled their support.
"The march concluded in the SGI parking lot at 26th and Pico, where brief comments were made by family and young friends. It was very respectful and dignified; though somewhat difficult to hear. A smaller group then walked a final block closer to the site where Eddie died; where a memorial had been set up under a tree on the north side of Pico between 26th and 27th. Some students placed a flower or candle at the site. Everyone was silent for a few moments. An announcement was made that there would be an open mike set up in the youth center at Virginia Ave Park. Then people drifted off.
"Afterward about 50 students assembled in the youth center, where a table was set up with a photo of Eddie. I left at that point and later stopped at St. Monica's to give a donation. The hearse had arrived; it was white; I guess because he was so young.
"The Eddie Lopez Fund has been set up at First Federal Bank at 1630 Montana Avenue, (310) 399-9261. The funeral is this morning at 10 am. Michele (Wittig)
"PS: There is an online story summarizing city anti-gang violence efforts at: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2006/ March-2006/03_09_06_City_Gets_Mixed_Reviews.
"PPS Judy Pam-Bycel was director of the SM National Conference for Community and Justice from about 1990-2000, then moved to Cleveland where her husband (Lee) was appointed Rabbi. That's how I got to know her. They returned about 3 years ago; she now teaches English at SAMOHI and lives in the Valley. Her husband is raising funds for Dafur victims and she is taking a week off from teaching to help him. She is terrific. Michele Wittig