Councilman Plans ‘Dialogue on Violence’ Workshops Across County

Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas extended an invitation Friday to all Los Angeles residents to take a couple hours next week to sit down with fellow community members at workshops across the county to talk about violence.

The “Day of Dialogue on Violence in Our Communities”--actually two days, Sept. 27-28--will be the third of its kind organized by the councilman to get people to openly discuss problems that plague the city.

The first one focused on race relations and was held Oct. 24, 1995, after the verdicts in the O.J. Simpson murder trial; the second one, on affirmative action, took place May 31 and June 1.

“Violence must be addressed. We must face all types of violence openly and honestly,” Ridley-Thomas said at a news conference Friday at the Harvard Park and Recreation Center in South Los Angeles.

The councilman was flanked by community leaders and city officials, including Police Chief Willie Williams, City Atty. James Hahn, Women Against Handgun Violence Co-Chairwoman Ann Reiss Lane, and Juan Rivas of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited Alternative School.

“Part of the reason for having the conference at the park was to say these are public institutions for family use. Seniors ought to be able to have recreational experiences unharassed,” Ridley-Thomas said later.

So far, 56 sites have been set up throughout Los Angeles County where 10 to 20 people have confirmed they will attend. Organizers are expecting about 50 more sites to be established before the event.

For information, call (213) 485-8271.