More than 1,900 people attended the final drive-in movie of the 2025 Summer of Nonviolence series at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque on Wednesday evening. The event featured a screening of Twilight and was the fourth and last drive-in movie for this year’s campaign.
The Summer of Nonviolence initiative is a partnership among Bernalillo County, City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation, Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS), and Albuquerque Police Department. It aims to encourage youth to take a pledge for nonviolence while providing safe and family-friendly events throughout the summer.
Over 1,000 youth and community members have taken the nonviolence pledge so far this season. Those who pledged at Wednesday’s event received an “I Pledge” t-shirt. Attendees who completed a survey were given food truck vouchers for local vendors such as Ordinarily Beautiful Cotton Candy, Papa Cano’s Wood Fire Pizza, Zia Strong, Rollin In Hot, and XO Fast Foods.
Youth ambassadors called “Gen P” (Generation Peace) greeted guests and shared information about the campaign. Attendees also had access to behavioral health resources, shelter assistance, food support, and educational materials as part of efforts to strengthen community ties.
“This summer has shown what’s possible when we come together to create safe spaces for our youth,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Each event has helped plant the seeds of connection, peace, and possibility.”
“As we move closer to wrapping up the second Summer of Nonviolence, it’s heartening to see how many in our community are embracing the effort,” said Bernalillo County Commission Vice-Chair Adriann Barboa (D3). “The positive vibe of the attendees was just fantastic, perfectly capturing the spirit of this initiative.”
“From the energy of the attendees to the outreach happening on the ground, these events continue to make a real impact,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “It’s more than a movie night, it’s a step toward lasting community change.”
While local officials work to promote safety through initiatives like Summer of Nonviolence, there have been ongoing concerns about crime in Bernalillo County. For example,the District Attorney has expressed frustration over suspects violating GPS monitor requirements yet being released back onto city streets.
The Summer of Nonviolence continues with various events designed for young people throughout Albuquerque. More details can be found on its website.
