Summer Of Peace

They've created Yard Signs and lit up the City and County building in a huge media event. The proponents of the Summer of Peace speak about the Summer of Violence...

Fourteen years after Denver's deadly "Summer of Violence," former gang members stood alongside city leaders Thursday to kick off what they hope will become known as the "Summer of Peace."

The crowd of about 40 people gathered on the first day of summer in front of the City and County Building and vowed to do what they could to prevent a repeat of 1993.

Manager of Safety Al LaCabe, former Manager of Safety Fidel "Butch" Montoya, and police Chief Gerry Whitman tried to illuminate the building's tower with white and blue lights to symbolize peace.

But it was still daylight at 8 p.m. and the lights didn't shine brightly.

No matter.

The lights on the tower will be joined by others that will spell out, "Summer of Peace," on the building's facade.

"This lighting is a symbol to let people know that Denver wants peace," said Cathy Maestas, who lost her 16-year-old son, Geranimo, in 1993 to a killer who wanted his Denver Broncos jacket.

"We want to save our kids."

Maestas, who has since formed her anti-violence youth organization, No "Mo" Violence, incorporating her son's nickname, joined others standing behind LaCabe displaying their posters reading "Summer of Peace."

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