Photo by Richard Quinn
Special to The Star

Jerry Garcia, owner of Heavenly Doves in Oxnard, releases 30 doves at the end of a rally organized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme. The event was prompted by the fatal shooting at E.O. Green School.

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Photo by Richard Quinn
Special to The Star

Teens, children and parents walk down Fifth Street in Oxnard during a march that ended at the Boys & Girls Clubs' Martin V. Smith Center with a rally. The march and rally was called Kids First — Stop the Violence.

About 200 people participated in a rally Saturday in Oxnard to raise awareness about children's safety after the fatal classroom shooting of 15-year-old Larry King.

The Kids First — Stop the Violence rally was organized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, the latest of similar events in the wake of the shooting.

"The purpose of the rally is to engage people and help everybody understand that we all share a responsibility in helping our youth become responsible and productive citizens," said Nancy Mayerson, board president of the clubs, just before the group marched from Plaza Park.

The event was prompted by the Feb. 12 shooting of King in a computer lab at E.O. Green School. Prosecutors have charged Brandon McInerney, 14, with first-degree murder and the commission of a hate crime.

Authorities have declined to elaborate on what motivated the attack or discuss the reasons for the hate crime allegation.

King had told friends he was being bullied because he was gay.

On Saturday, participants marched together with Kids First — Stop the Violence banners and placards to the Boys & Girls Clubs' Martin V. Smith Center, where community leaders spoke to those gathered there.

Mayerson said people should not leave all the responsibility for King's death to the school district or law enforcement, but it should be a concern of everyone in the community.

"The youth is our future, and we need to teach them that violence is not an acceptable way to solve problems," Mayerson said.

"We as adults need to model a proper behavior and help kids (learn) how they can deal with differences and express themselves," she said.

Tim Blaylock, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, said the rally demonstrates to the children that they are a priority in the community and adults care about them.

"We believe in our children, and we want to show them that violence is not acceptable," Blaylock said.

Julia Campos, a 50-year-old resident of Oxnard, said her son was murdered four years ago, and two brothers were killed about 20 years ago.

"I'm here because I'm sick and tired of so much violence in our community, and it's about time we do something to prevent it," she said.

The community needs to get involved with children and let them know there are other ways to solve issues instead of resorting to violence, said Campos, who is an active member of Parents of Murdered Children.

Roberto Vargas, 57, of Ventura said he has been working on a program, Family Power Project, that facilitates dialogue between parents and children about violence, its causes and how to prevent it.

"Violence makes people feel very unsafe and afraid," Vargas said. "We need more youth programs to show parents how to get involved with children."

Vargas said the community needs to begin to teach children to be more tolerant and have a constant dialogue with them about these issues.

Christina Powell, 13, said violence should not occur at school, which is supposed to be a safe place.

"If we don't stop violence, there will be a lot of teenagers going into gangs. Kids are first, and that is the way it should always be," Powell said.