Latino peacemakers share lived experiences, advocate for an end to gun violence at Community Violence Intervention Conference

William “Blinky” Rodriguez is a world champion kickboxer who was very popular in the 70s and 80s. In 1990, however, his life changed forever after his son was killed in a drive-by shooting in Sylmar. Instead of holding a grudge against those responsible, Rodriguez started a non-profit, Champions in Service, to help young gang members move away from violence and crime. 

Rodriguez shared his experience on Monday at “Poderosos y presente: Latino Peacemakers & the Call to Serve,” a panel that was part of  the Community Violence Intervention Conference 2026 held in Downtown L.A.

The two-day conference was held at the JT Marriott in Downtown Los Angeles and hosted by the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention. 

Susan Cruz, an independent forensic social worker and panelist, spoke on topics related to youth in conflict with the law, gangs, migration, capital punishment, gender, sexual and reproductive justice and human rights issues. 

During the panel, both speakers provided insights into what they have seen while doing their work and how the justice system is not always fair. 

Cruz said she often works with people who have been convicted of rape or murder and the majority of them assume responsibility.

“So when you sit down with someone and call them a perpetrator, a criminal, a convict, a gangster or whatever people call it, there is a human being in there who was also wronged, who was also hurt and justice was never probably served,” she said. 

The right people to help others

Cruz said the most important thing to do as a mentor or leader who helps the most vulnerable is to organize.

“We still have to protect ourselves for the work that we do,” she said. 

Rodriguez’ organization serves Greater Los Angeles, with a strong focus in the San Fernando Valley, and is dedicated to empowering, removing barriers to success and creating pathways for personal, educational and professional growth.

“Our job is to build relationships and trust and respect and teach what the word respect means,” he said. 

Many of his volunteers and mentors who are willing to help have lived similar experiences and therefore understand the struggle, he said.

“I tell my guys all the time, ‘when you came to me, you already had a heart for people,’” Rodriguez said. “You already were amazing and you wanted to do something to help and you took a lot and you wanted to pay back, so it is up to us to hold that integrity and hold the line.” 

Cruz said in addition to respect, there also has to be a conversation about consideration.

“I consider the fact that you have feelings, I consider your time. I consider your rights to feel the way you feel,” she said. 

She said the most important thing is to take away the idea that respect and fear are the same thing. 

Community Violence Intervention Conference 2026

The panel during the first day of the conference was meant to foster difficult conversations regarding gun violence and to invite recognition of the leadership, perspectives and contributions Latino practitioners have brought to violence intervention for generations.

The Giffords Center for Violence Intervention was created by former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who in 2011 was shot in the head at a constituent meeting in Tucson, Arizona by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. i. 

She took a year away from Congress to recover. In 2013, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy that led to 26 people being killed — including 20 children between ages six and seven — she co-founded the center. 

The organization has been a leader in the national gun safety movement and has been pivotal in passing lifesaving legislation.