Youths, Gang Members Call for Peace : King case: The weekly meeting organized by a top legislative aide gives young people an opportunity to meet with local leaders and be heard.

As anticipation mounts in Los Angeles over the outcome of the second Rodney G. King beating trial, a group of Pacoima youths and gang members met Wednesday night to exchange their feelings on the volatile case with a Van Nuys judge, a congressional aide and other local leaders.

The weekly meeting, organized last summer by Rose Castaneda, a top aide to Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City), attracted about 35 Latino and African-American youths and some parents to a gymnasium in Pacoima Park.

Although some of the speakers expressed outrage at the verdicts in the previous King beating trial, the theme of Wednesday’s meeting was that peace should be maintained, regardless of the outcome of the second trial.

“Who is going to put the gun down first? That is a good question,” said Leo Kohn, a Van Nuys juvenile traffic court judge who spoke at the meeting. “Somebody has to say, ‘Let there be peace.’ ”

Castaneda said the group plans to hold a “Keep the Peace” barbecue at Pacoima Park on the day the verdicts are announced.

Castaneda started the weekly meetings last August with the Project Boyz, a gang at the San Fernando Gardens, to air their gripes and listen to speakers discuss employment, education and other programs. The Project Boyz are one of the largest and oldest Latino gangs in the San Fernando Valley, with an estimated 300 members.

During last year’s riots, about 50 current and former gang members, participants in Castaneda’s weekly discussion group, took to the streets--not to riot, but to protect shops in their neighborhood from looting and arson. Their actions were praised by Castaneda and some police officials.

Wednesday night’s meeting, which was attended by non-gang members as well, again focused on the King beating case and the potential for more violence.

Several youngsters and adults at the meeting said police brutality is a regular occurrence for minorities and most be stopped.

“It’s time to do something about it, and I feel something in here,” Pacoima resident Luz Elena Tafolla said, gesturing toward her heart. “I think everybody feels something.”

Maria Elena Chavez, a leader in the Los Angeles Conservation Corp. who was invited to talk about the youth program, said her mother had been beaten by police in San Francisco.

“I think it’s a normal thing and I think we should ask why it has to keep happening,” she said.

But Kohn and Castaneda asked for nonviolent protests if the upcoming verdicts create more tension.

Castaneda asked youngsters not to join in if another riot breaks out. She said they should call police if they see looting or vandalism. “Keep the peace until the police arrive,” she said.

The group, known as the Wednesday Night Regulars, was formed by Castaneda following complaints about the Project Boyz gang’s continuing criminal activities at the public housing units at San Fernando Gardens.

But since the sessions started, the group has volunteered its services for civic projects such as painting schools and visiting disabled veterans.

The meetings normally attract about 40 regulars at Pacoima Park. Castaneda runs the meetings, but the youths set the agenda and make individual presentations. The weekly sessions have led to jobs for several participants and a city-funded paid internship in Berman’s office.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Tim McBride, commander of the Foothill Division, said in an interview that he applauds anyone who works to persuade gang members to leave the gang life.

But he said it is difficult to say whether Castaneda’s group has had an effect on reducing gang activity since gang violence appears to be increasing.

“It’s difficult to measure success,” he said. “But getting them organized can’t do anything but help.”

Richard Reyes, 18, who has attended the weekly meetings since they started, said he believes the meetings have had a positive impact, especially Wednesday’s meeting.

“I’m glad that we had this talk,” he said. “I’m glad we are getting the right message out.”

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