Amber Willard
NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- Twelve-year-old Yasmeen El-Rhashid came to
Parcher Plaza on Tuesday night to be part of the "parade" -- although it
wasn't a typical one with motorized floats and costumed characters.
Its message was more important than that, organizers said.
Yasmeen came for the city's National Night Out on Crime celebration,
geared to bring residents together for a free barbecue and milelong march
in downtown Glendale.
"We need to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are
organized and are fighting back," Mayor Gus Gomez said at the start of
the event.
About 300 participants in Glendale were among millions of others
around the world taking part in the event.
After performances by three children's groups -- Ballet Folklorico
from Catholic Charities, the drill team from Mark Keppel Elementary
School and the C&E Kids from the Character and Ethics Project --
participants started their march led by Yasmeen and students in the
Glendale Police Department's S.T.A.R. program.
"We're going to take our message to the streets of Glendale," said
Officer Mike Glassick, one the event organizers, as he rallied
participants before the march.
As the crowd trooped down Glendale Avenue, they drew a few curious
stares from passing drivers, while others honked and waved them on.
