TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1999

Peace march

By Tina Dhamija

On-Line Forty-Niner

In an effort to promote and show commitment to peace, more than 60 people gathered in front of Long Beach Poly High School Saturday to support the "Poly to Puvungna Walk for Peace" rally.

Starting around 11 a.m., the walk began at Atlantic and 15th Streets, winded its way down Anaheim Street and culminated at the sacred American Indian site, Puvungna, located on the west side of Cal State Long Beach.

Marchers made their way to the site by 12:30 p.m. and were met by approximately 40 more people in support of peace. A rally began around 1 p.m. and continued for the greater portion of the day.

"There are a lot of people taking peace for granted," said Ray Gribinski, a Long Beach city council member, who spoke at the rally. "This [the Puvungna rally] is the most peaceful time in my life."

About six years ago the university was going to tear down the Puvungna site to build a strip mall in its place. Environmentalists protested that decision and the site has been proclaimed a national landmark, said Long Beach Peace Committee member and CSULB anthropology professor Eugene Ruyle.

The Puvungna site has remained untouched by corporate forces and provides 22 acres of open space and lush green grass for people to gather and reflect.

The rally was a mixture of music, speakers and food provided by local supporters of peace in the community. Signs made by the participants decorated the site with slogans such as "Violence is not the answer" and "Love is the greatest force."

"The rally has been really wonderful," said Kristin Engelbct, a PHS student and a participant in the day's festivities. "I really got a kick out of it."

The war in Kosovo and the recent Columbine High School shootings in Colorado were also issues addressed to show evidence of the need for peace in the world.

Member of the Juaneno American Indian tribe in San Juan Capistrano, Lillian Robles urged the people of Long Beach to "utilize the land [the Puvungna site] or the [Cal State Long Beach] university will think we don't need it."

Ruyle, who played a big part in organizing the walk, said he wants to make the walk an annual event so more people have the opportunity to get involved.

"It [the walk] worked out well and I'm happy to see it resulted as a place for people who love peace to come together and raise consciousness for the cause," Ruyle said.

The entire CSULB campus was once the village for the Tongva American Indian tribe and the Puvungna site is all that is left of the tribe's heritage, Ruyle said. The 22-acre site is believed by some to be the center of creation and is considered a sacred and holy place.

"Today's walk is to promote peace," said Will Yager, representative of the Green Party in Long Beach. "There is so much violence and strife in the world, let alone in Long Beach."