Dozens Walk in ‘Silence the Violence’ March in Indio

Dozens walked the streets of Indio Sunday morning as part of the ‘Silence the Violence’ march. Many who walked have lost loved ones to senseless acts of violence, including 14-year-old Max and 8-year-old Denisse Hernandez.

“It was very hurtful, like I couldn’t believe that it happened,” said Max Hernandez.

The siblings lost their father earlier this year, shot and killed by a family member.

“What I miss about him the most is how he used to hold me when I was a baby,” said Denisse Hernandez.

Both, now coping with his death, walked in his honor Sunday through the streets of Indio.

“My dad was very loving and very kind. You know, he respected us, provided us with whatever he could do,” Max said.

The march raises awareness about the need to keep communities throughout the Coachella valley safe. Pastor Sal Robledo with Victory Outreach Indio, who organized the event, says it’s also a way to reach out to those who want and are seeking help.

“We are here to make a difference, to bring hope to our neighborhoods, to our cities and communities that are sometimes plagued with gang violence,” Robledo said,”Gang members, drug addicts, broken families, we’re letting them know that they don’t have to live that way, that their living that there is a way out.”

The outreach has programs and resources available, but Pastor Robledo says most importantly testimony from those who’ve been able to turn their lives around.

“We’ve been there, we’ve done that and because of that we’re not only able to speak to them, but talk to them from the heart and let them know, if it was done for me, it can be done for them,” Robledo said.

Max says he’ll never get his father back, but moving forward, he wants to make sure others don’t go through the same pain.

“I think the violence should just stop you know, it should stop. So many people that die… kids, parents, brothers, sisters, I think it should stop,” Max said.