Protesters Call for End to Violence and Drugs : Ministry: With the help of 200 marchers, Victory Outreach stages a walk through the meanest streets of Oxnard.

Led by a garbage truck plastered with anti-drug slogans, more than 200 people stormed some of Oxnard’s meanest streets Saturday calling for an end to drug dealing and gang violence.

Members and supporters of Victory Outreach of Ventura County marched from Juanita School in the city’s La Colonia district to the Plaza Park near City Hall.

They marched through an area, on the northwestern edge of La Colonia, where police report crime is more than 80% above the city average. And they marched through an intersection, at Cooper Road and Hayes Avenue, that has a reputation as the drug dealing capital of Ventura County.

“I want you to know that we have declared war on drug addiction and gang banging in La Colonia,” shouted the Rev. Bob Herrera through a bullhorn while marching along the three-mile route.

Men ventured out of barrooms and pool halls as the procession moved past. Drug dealers retreated into nearby alleyways. Women wrapped arms around their children and shouted encouragement to the Oxnard-based church group.

“I’m glad to see them here,” said one woman wrapped in an apron and wearing bedroom slippers. “I’m glad anytime someone cares enough to come here and try to make things better.”

Members of Victory Outreach of Ventura County--a 7-year-old, street-tough ministry of self-proclaimed ex-gang members and recovering drug addicts--sang songs and chanted prayers during the march. They shouted religious slogans at motorists waiting for stoplights to turn from red to green.

Many carried balloons and hand-painted signs. “Say No 2 Drugs,” said one sign. “Give Jesus a Chance,” read another.

Some church members wore white T-shirts proclaiming the group’s Second Annual War On Drugs and Gangs. It’s actually the fourth year Victory Outreach has sponsored the event. The printer made a mistake on the T-shirt order.

Representatives of county Supervisor John Flynn and state Sen. Gary Hart (D-Santa Barbara) addressed the crowd congregated at a post-march rally. They presented Victory Outreach with commendations for its work.

“We wanted to show our support for Victory Outreach because they do more than just complain about the problems, they’re on the front lines trying to make a change,” said Patrick Barrios, an aide to Flynn and longtime resident of La Colonia.

The event has grown larger each year, with a police-estimated attendance of more than 200 marchers joined by another 100 people at Saturday’s rally.

Former gang members and drug addicts spoke during the rally of their own problems on the streets of Oxnard.

“I was out there, a gang member from Colonia,” said local resident Judy Valencia. “I used to run these streets thinking I had it all together.”

She said she became hooked on drugs and alcohol. She said her habit landed her in juvenile hall and then prison. She said eventually she turned to prostitution.

“There were people out there who loved me and who saw something in me,” Valencia said. “I thank God for Victory Outreach.”