ALYSSA MARTINEZ - [X]PRESS Rudy Corpuz Jr., founder of United Playaz, speaks out against violence during a rally for peace in the Western Addition.

“These youngsters are fighting over turf that don’t even belong to them. And they need to realize that the only turf they’re ever going to own in this country is that turf out at the Cypress Lawn, that 6 by 9 foot plot where they’re going to be buried at if they don’t wake up and smell the coffee,” he said.

Rogers is an active member in the Western Addition community. He thinks that teenage gang violence — not only in the Fillmore District, but in all of San Francisco — needs to stop. Rogers was one of many San Franciscans who rallied around the Western Addition the evening of Wednesday, June 20 in response to a rash of shootings that occurred the previous week.

Nine people were wounded in two related shootings in the Western Addition within 12 hours. On Wednesday, June 13, two people were wounded by gunfire. The following day, ironically observed as Silence the Violence Day, seven more were wounded. All victims were between the ages 11 and 19.

The shootings inspired Shanelle Williams, a lifelong resident of the neighborhood, to organize the rally. “It is ridiculous when kids at the age of 11 are victims,” she said.

Close to 200 supporters rallied and marched from the corner of Fillmore and Eddy Streets and back around the Western Addition. From grandchildren to grandparents, blacks to Asians and whites, they chanted in unison: “Peace on our streets.”

According to the San Francisco Police Department, teenage gang violence has been a recurring issue in the past few years, and the Western Addition is one of the most violent neighborhoods in San Francisco. In 2006 there were nine homicides in the Western Addition. This year, with already six homicides as of June 25, the neighborhood could possibly exceed its rate from last year. And with 47 total homicides in San Francisco this year, many members of the community don’t feel safe.

“I am tired of living in fear for my grandbaby and those kids who are innocent,” Adrian Williams said. Williams is a grandmother who has lived in the Western Addition for most of her life. She was forced to leave due to the amount of violence, but decided to come back because she loves the neighborhood.

The community wonders who to blame for the surge of violence. Speaking to all the parents at the rally, Williams said, “I am angry. I am fed up. Until you take responsibility for your children, I’m no longer going to tolerate people blaming other people.”

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who represents the Western Addition, held the government responsible for the violence.

“Money gets thrown at the problem all the time but we need to make the money accountable,” said Mirkarimi. A public meeting was held at City Hall the next day to demand more funding for recreation centers in San Francisco.

London Breed, the executive director of the African American Art and Culture Complex on Fulton Street, thinks the homicide rate is increasing because there aren’t enough recreation centers for youth in the Western Addition. Six of the seven victims of the June 14 shooting spree were involved in Breed’s program, including a photography instructor.

“If I’m working with the boys who were shot, who’s working with the shooters?” Breed asked. “I’m tired of the fact that the only social event our youth have to participate in is a funeral.”