In Honor of a Peace Warrior
In Honor of a Peace Warrior
Raymond Emmett Cervantes, 34 of Watsonville, California was a remarkable man. He was born in Watsonville, however, grew up in Moss Landing. He returned to Watsonville and remained living there for 15 years. Ray, as he was called by those dear to him, enjoyed coaching his daughter with the Pajaro Valley High School softball team and loved music, cooking and fishing. He also was an avid San Francisco 49ers football fan. Ray took pride in being a loving father, husband, son and brother.
The Gathering for Justice Staff met Ray while providing an Intro to Nonviolence workshop during Bi-National Health week in Santa Cruz, California before our Two Day Core Nonviolence training on October 16th & 17th, 2008. There was something about Ray that made him stand out of a crowd of eighty people, when we approached and invited him to participate in our training. Of course, it didn’t take much convincing but as his friends described him as someone always thinking of others; he wanted to make sure that some of his friends would also have the same opportunity and be able to attend as well. The following day Ray arrived with a friend. They were the first to show up, bright and early to our training. They helped us set up and he was so excited to have the opportunity to learn more about what he was already practicing, Nonviolence. That same evening, on our way home from the training, we saw Ray and his friend at the bus stop. Without hesitation, we stopped and picked them up. You should have seen them running to the car; they were so excited and appreciative, however, we could also sense that they were embarrassed. We convinced them though that we really needed their assistance in locating a Panaderia (a bakery) for the following morning’s breakfast in which instantly changed their demeanor and they were excited again. During our two days together, Ray shared with us how much he loved his family and expressed such a desire to learn and grow. He talked about his own transformation and wanting to continue his relationship with the Gathering. In fact, he participated both days and received certification for the Two Day Core and talked about sharing his knowledge with others. It was such a pleasure meeting Ray and engaging in conversation with him, however, as many of us begin to walk the path of peace. We then become the targets of violence. Ten days after completing the Two Day Core, Ray was walking with his friends back home when they were approached by three individuals. Ray was chased several blocks and stabbed to death in the back. Ray did not fight back and sacrificed his life for others to know that Nonviolence is a way of life for Courageous people. Ray was courageous and full of love. Thank you Ray for all your contributions, you know what they were and especially for your smile. May God give your family the strength to continue as we will share your life story and transformation with others around the world. Peace and Blessings!
Community takes stand against violence with annual march
For more than a decade, hundreds of community members have joined together for an annual march through Watsonville neighborhoods to remember the dozens who have died in violence in Santa Cruz County in recent years.
This year, the 15th annual Peace and Unity March, set for Saturday, November 15, 2008, comes in the wake of two fatal stabbings on Watsonville streets in less than a month, the city's first homicides of 2008.
Raymond Emmet Cervantes, 34, of Watsonville, was stabbed several times in the back Monday on Lincoln Street after running several blocks to try to escape his attackers.
Leonardo Perez Barayas, 20, of Prunedale, died after he was stabbed Oct. 3 on Clifford Avenue.
Raymond Emmett Cervantes, 34 of Watsonville, California was a remarkable man. He was born in Watsonville, however, grew up in Moss Landing. He returned to Watsonville and remained living there for 15 years. Ray, as he was called by those dear to him, enjoyed coaching his daughter with the Pajaro Valley High School softball team and loved music, cooking and fishing. He also was an avid San Francisco 49ers football fan. Ray took pride in being a loving father, husband, son and brother.
The Gathering for Justice Staff met Ray while providing an Intro to Nonviolence workshop during Bi-National Health week in Santa Cruz, California before our Two Day Core Nonviolence training on October 16th & 17th, 2008. There was something about Ray that made him stand out of a crowd of eighty people, when we approached and invited him to participate in our training. Of course, it didn’t take much convincing but as his friends described him as someone always thinking of others; he wanted to make sure that some of his friends would also have the same opportunity and be able to attend as well. The following day Ray arrived with a friend. They were the first to show up, bright and early to our training. They helped us set up and he was so excited to have the opportunity to learn more about what he was already practicing, Nonviolence. That same evening, on our way home from the training, we saw Ray and his friend at the bus stop. Without hesitation, we stopped and picked them up. You should have seen them running to the car; they were so excited and appreciative, however, we could also sense that they were embarrassed. We convinced them though that we really needed their assistance in locating a Panaderia (a bakery) for the following morning’s breakfast in which instantly changed their demeanor and they were excited again. During our two days together, Ray shared with us how much he loved his family and expressed such a desire to learn and grow. He talked about his own transformation and wanting to continue his relationship with the Gathering. In fact, he participated both days and received certification for the Two Day Core and talked about sharing his knowledge with others. It was such a pleasure meeting Ray and engaging in conversation with him, however, as many of us begin to walk the path of peace. We then become the targets of violence. Ten days after completing the Two Day Core, Ray was walking with his friends back home when they were approached by three individuals. Ray was chased several blocks and stabbed to death in the back. Ray did not fight back and sacrificed his life for others to know that Nonviolence is a way of life for Courageous people. Ray was courageous and full of love. Thank you Ray for all your contributions, you know what they were and especially for your smile. May God give your family the strength to continue as we will share your life story and transformation with others around the world. Peace and Blessings!
Community takes stand against violence with annual march
For more than a decade, hundreds of community members have joined together for an annual march through Watsonville neighborhoods to remember the dozens who have died in violence in Santa Cruz County in recent years.
This year, the 15th annual Peace and Unity March, set for Saturday, November 15, 2008, comes in the wake of two fatal stabbings on Watsonville streets in less than a month, the city's first homicides of 2008.
Raymond Emmet Cervantes, 34, of Watsonville, was stabbed several times in the back Monday on Lincoln Street after running several blocks to try to escape his attackers.
Leonardo Perez Barayas, 20, of Prunedale, died after he was stabbed Oct. 3 on Clifford Avenue.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Arthur Romano on -
My soul screams when we lose another family member to the ignorance that is violence. The stakes are high. This work matters. In honor of Ray and the many other people who make such sacrifices, keep it up the good work yall, we need it.
Arthur
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Permalink Reply by Gina Belafonte on
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My prayers go out to the families of our fallen solders of peace. May this story and others like it be testimony to the need for peaceful transformation. We choose in each moment...take a breath and make the right one.
Peace GB
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Lewis on -
The Gathering for Justice has traveled to all areas of the country meeting with community leaders who are all very different coming together for one purpose. The common thread through all the communities and the leaders is their love for the children and desire to make change through Agape or unconditional love. The Gathering has spent the month of October traveling through California and we had the honor of meeting a man on his own Pilgrimage towards nonviolence. Similar to the one traveled by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Pilgrimage to Nonviolence” from his earliest book “Stride Towards freedom”. Raymond Emmett Cervantes, 34 of Watsonville, California was a remarkable man.
I think this speaks to the true difficulties and the high risk of our work we are currently engaging. My heart is heavy as I type this piece of the letter but this is not the first Peace warrior we lost this year and it will not be the last. Please take the time to love your friends and family not only in words but in deeds. This love that we say we have for the children and our family must be reflecting in our actions and words because it is difficult to see the light through the darkness of today’s troubling times. The problem is not that we don’t care about our communities it is that we lack the courage to stand strong in moments of feeling exploited or feeling the pain of the underprivileged.
A second of patience, in a moment of frustration will save us a life time of suffering. For example the three men that took Ray’s life are deeply in pain and suffering. How does a community respond to these types of acts of violence? We must do something and all those that commit violations against the law/community must be held accountable.
We talk about the great civil rights leaders of the past with the utmost respect love and appreciation. Let us consider what are we doing so the Ray’s of the world do not need to fight this battle alone. There are so many different people that so many of us praise because they had to courage to do what was needed to be done not in moments of comfort but rather moments of discomfort and despair. Like Ray and many others who have their lives taken for something meaningless, on this day let us commit ourselves to giving our lives to something of value. Let us commit ourselves to not complaining about the problems of the world but rather being the change that we wish to see. I say this today understanding that if my life is to be taken along my path I will know that my last action and breath were given as an investment to the future generations and the children of today.
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Permalink Reply by carol saffen on -
Sometimes there are no words to heal the pain of loss-if we can remember that every soul that walks upon earth as a peacemaker they will without even trying convey that message to at least one person and often many more. It is a link within the chain reaction that will someday become complete. Where people no longer show their suffering by the murdering of another. Where we will come to understand to agree to disagree is a strength-not a weakness.
in the shadows of yesterdays despair
warmth of a peaceful soul washes over
when violence- is met with peace
it is then we are in step with Dr. Martin Luther King
As understanding rises above hate
and forgiveness heals wounds
another warrior joins the cause
to see violence fade away -
watching dark come into light
--no one dies alone
for in memory of our sisters and brothers
we walk the world together
spreading warmth of peace to all
someday it will be complete.
Thank you to all past,present and future warriors of nonviolence and their families let us keep the momentum going,
Beautiful photo-what a precious memory. I think his parents would want a copy of this photo.
Rest in Peace- for all who have passed away.
t t t
~carol
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Permalink Reply by jasirix on -
May Allah be pleased with Brother Raymond and bring peace to his family. This makes me very angry but I am calmed by the fact that God is Just and whoever did this will be punished, I also feel we need to work harder and more diligently to bring peace to our communities. This is why the Gathering and our connection is so important, let us pray for the families of Brother Raymond and Brother Leonardo and let us pray and work to end this senseless violence
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The Gathering’s Mission
The mission of The Gathering is to build an Intergenerational, movement, rooted in history, cultures and non-violent direct action to heal communities, build collective strength and generate an environment of hope and opportunity.
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
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