Community Organizes 'Solidarity March' in Honor of Monique Hernandez, Beaumont Pepper Spray Victim

Several people are expected to gather together in a sign of solidarity and support for a Beaumont woman recently blinded in a DUI traffic stop, as they march to city hall and discuss her case.

Monique Hernandez, 31, suffered severe eye trauma as a result of a high-powered pepper spray device used on her by a Beaumont Police Officer arresting her on suspicion of DUI on Feb. 21, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's office.

On June 2, demonstrators will gather at Rangel Park to first listen to guest speakers before heading out on the mile-long walk to Beaumont Civic Center at 2 p.m.

Organizer Victor Dominguez says School Board Member and State Assembly Candidate Mark Orozco will speak, along with Hernandez's attorney Milton Grimes.

“I have spoken to several Beaumont residents and they all have expressed to me their outrage on the excessive force used by Officer Clark," Dominguez said.  "I agree with many of them, that in order to maintain a community-friendly Police Department, it is imperative for the system to lay on Officer Clark all the weight of the law’."

Despite all the family has been through, they wanted to let the public know they do stand behind Beaumont police as a whole, Dominguez said. 

“At this march the Hernandez family also wants to emphasize that in their view Officer Clark’s brutal action is by no means a reflection of Beaumont’s Police Department work," he said.  "Quite the contrary, the Hernandez family recognizes Beaumont PD work as diligent, and professional, with the exception of Officer Clark."

Beaumont city spokeswoman Darci Mulvihill confirmed to Banning-Beaumont Patch that organizers are going through the proper channels within the city to get permitted for the special event.

Rangel Park is located at 4th and B Street, in the area also known as the Historic Barrio Railroad District.