On November 5, 2022, more than 300 people gathered in Campbell’s Cadillac-Winchester neighborhood to demand safer streets following the death of 8-year-old Jacob Villanueva, a third-grade student at Castlemont Elementary School. The event was organized by the Silicon Valley Sponsoring Committee (SVSC) in partnership with St. Lucy Catholic Church, Castlemont Elementary, the Campbell Union School District, and the Cadillac-Winchester Neighborhood Association.

Jacob was struck and killed in a crosswalk near his school on the morning of September 16. A woman walking with him was also seriously injured. His death prompted an outpouring of grief and growing calls for change.

 

The action began with an assembly at 3131 Cadillac Drive, followed by a peaceful march down Winchester Boulevard to St. Lucy’s Church. Community members carried signs and shared stories, calling for improved infrastructure and the installation of a stop sign at the site of the crash.

“We are committed to making sure that no other family has to experience the tragedy that Jacob’s family has had to go through,” said Shelly Viramontez, Superintendent of Campbell Union School District.

 

San José Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and incoming City Councilmember Rosemary Kamei were in attendance to listen to residents and express support for safety improvements.

“The Silicon Valley Sponsoring Committee is building power with ordinary people and their institutions across Santa Clara County,” said lead organizer Anna Eng. “We organized this march and assembly to make long-term change in the Cadillac-Winchester neighborhood and communities like it throughout the county.”

Following the event, SVSC continued to work with councilmember Kamei on neighborhood safety, and a stop sign was installed at the intersection where Jacob was killed.