'Solidarity March' Draws Out Peaceful Walkers, Community Activists

Dozens of community supporters and family members of Monique Hernandez, the woman blinded when a high-powered pepper spray device was used on her in a DUI stop in Feb., walked in "solidarity" Saturday.

The event started at Rangel Park at noon, and wrapped up after a mile-long walk from the park to Beaumont Civic Center and some speeches, at around 3 p.m.

"What you did here today was the democratic way," said Beaumont School Board Member Mark Orozco, who was one of the featured speakers in front of city hall.  "This is what our city needs."

The walk was not necessarily a protest, rather a way for these people to show Hernandez they stand behind her, and will continue to support her as she heals.

"If you could see, Monique... you could see the love around you," her father Joe Hernandez said.

There was not any trash talking against the city, nor angry words against the police department as a whole.  Rather, those in attendance-- especially the Hernandez family-- wanted to make one thing clear: this was an isolated incident and they want to see "justice served."

"We're not here because of hatred, race," Orozco said.  "We're not here because we want revenge.  This city needs to understand that Beaumont city is not at fault, the Beaumont police... they're not at fault.... This is against one man, a man that did not do his job right.  We also need to understand that Officer Clark's family is going through this tragedy as well.  So we need to keep them in our prayers."

"What happened [to Monique] was misfortunate," organizer Victor Dominguez said.  "But look around, look at [the support] you see."

Though not as many people showed up to the event, Banning-Beaumont Patch counted approximately 80 people in attendance.  That's a number that Hernandez's attorney, Milton Grimes, was satisfied with.

"I think it was a great rally to show support for Monique," Grimes said.  "I wish she could have seen it, but I'm sure she felt the energy from it, so I think it was very uplifting for her-- and all of us-- to see this turnout and support for her." 

Hernandez's family said they, too, were thrilled with the turnout.  Hernandez's father seemed hopeful for his daughter's future, and did not speak much of , for which Officer Enoch Clark-- who remains on paid leave and out of jail on $50,000 bail-- has been charged with assault by the district attorney's office. 

Joe Hernandez said that though doctor's have pronounced Monique blind, he believes "someday, God's going to do a miracle... in his time, not our time."

"Life's too short to hold grudges," he said.  "You guys get that straight today.  If you've got a grudge against somebody, take care of it.  Because, you know what? You could be looking next to them right now and tomorrow, you might not see them." 

Monique Hernandez did not speak at the event, though she did talk with all her friends and family-- many of them dressed in t-shirts featuring Monique during happier times-- who helped guide her along the road to city hall.

"I was devastated," Hernandez's friend Janile Hernandez told Patch on how she felt upon learning that her friend would never see again.  "I just want to see her happy."

On Tuesday, Officer Clark , and is next due in court in July.  Grimes says he’s filed a claim against the city and police department, but as of Friday, the city had not yet received that claim, according to officials.