PALMDALE – The grassroots movement to keep serial rapist Christopher Hubbart from being relocated to an Antelope Valley residence is picking up steam.
A Community Rally this past Saturday drew support from more than 1,000 residents, who signed letters that will be sent to the Santa Clara County Judge responsible for Hubbart’s conditional release.
“There was a lot of momentum from the start, there was a lot of momentum throughout and there was a lot of momentum till the end,” said Marci Navarette of the Ladies of Lake LA, the community group that hosted the rally. (View many photos from the Rally here.)
The Community Rally Saturday was the kickoff event for an aggressive grassroots effort aimed at keeping the “Pillowcase Rapist” from being conditionally released to 20315 East Avenue R or anywhere in the Antelope Valley. (View a timeline of Hubbart’s criminal, social, and legal history here.)
Upcoming Events include:
Informational Table to Raise Awareness in Palmdale.
Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Walmart on 47th Street East and Avenue S.
The Ladies of Lake LA will have a table set up with informative materials, in both English and Spanish, to raise awareness for the cause. They’re encouraging residents to submit handwritten letters to be routed to the judge responsible for Hubbart’s release to the Antelope Valley. Form letters will also be available for signature, as well. (View, print and sign a form letter here.)
Symbolic March in Palmdale.
Tentatively set for 6 p.m., Friday, May 2, at Poncitlan Square in Palmdale.
The Ladies of Lake LA will be supporting the March, which is being hosted by Agents of Change to raise awareness about Hubbart’s proposed relocation to the Antelope Valley. Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford and Palmdale City Council Member Tom Lackey have confirmed attendance at the March, according to Agents of Change President Dr. Miguel Coronado.
AV Latino Community Outreach in Lake Los Angeles.
Saturday, May 3, at the Cinco de Mayo Parade in Lake Los Angeles.
The Ladies of Lake LA will join the Valley Oasis Sexual Assault Response Team and local rape victims in hosting a booth in front of the Oso Meat Market (40340 170th St E) to spread awareness in the local Latino community. Informative materials will be available in both Spanish and English, and letters will be available for signature.
Raising Awareness in Lancaster.
Thursday, May 8, from 4 to 9 p.m., at the Farmers’ Market on Lancaster Blvd.
The Ladies of Lake LA will be working the crowd at the popular BLVD Farmers’ Market to distribute information, answer questions, collect letters and raise general community awareness.
They’re encouraging the entire Antelope Valley community to show support for the cause by attending one or all of the upcoming events.
“It’s entirely a grassroots effort. We are the soldiers for our community, putting the word out there,” Navaratte said. “We are a humble community, we’re not a dumping ground, and we’re concerned with [Hubbart’s] presence here.”
For Cheryl Holbrook, a rape survivor who lives alone in Lake Los Angeles, the message is especially important.
“This brings back memories from so many years ago,” Holbrook said. “I’m over the tears. Now I’m angry, I’m mad and I don’t want this guy out here.”
“Because of his background, he will reoffend; and we do not want him to reoffend in our community,” Navarette said. “We have a right to live without fear.”
For up-to-the-minute information on local efforts aimed at blocking Hubbart’s conditional release to the Antelope Valley, visit and “Like” the Facebook page titled “No Christopher Hubbart in the Antelope Valley.”
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Jip Joe says
how is something like this even allowed to be kept alive? After everything, again? What, the Parole board believes living with men all of these years cured him? Please move him next to a parole board member since they are so sure of his rehab.
Db says
Here’s a suggestion…since the ankle monitors don’t prevent a crime from taking place and all they really do is act as a GPS…why not instead put up a electrical fence around the area of the home in which the animal wants to live and if he dares to try and step out of the boundaries of his “conditional release” home setting… he is zapped hence preventing him from wandering and committing his next offense. Scheduled deliveries for necessities can be sent via mail or perhaps someone can create a “Meals on Wheels for Ex-Cons”???
Magnetlady says
@sjgranai
April 25, 2014 at 6:15 pm
I wish you could see how ”incomprehensible” you really sound… I asked you several questions that you NEVER answered… You keep going back to ”irrelevant” issues… Who cares about a meeting you were in the these people? You were obviously OUT VOTED …. You don’t sound like a ”TEAM PLAYER” at all…. These events were for the COMMUNITY, so why wouldn’t ”Organizers” want to speak? People do like to know who organized events, so they can thank them for it…if they like… You, on the other hand, sound like you wanted the ‘Spot Light” all to yourself… I spoke with several of the Politicians at the Rally and NOT ONE ever brought up politics or asked me for my vote… I didn’t see any ”Tea Party” signs there, did you? Did you support anything at all? Doesn’t sound very ”Christian” to me if you didn’t… Good Heavens, …. you need to GROW UP and stop trying to convince everyone within hearing distance that you’re RIGHT… As far as your ”Libertarian” views, far right of your Democrat party…. that’s very hard to believe … try another ”story”… No wonder this country is in the mess it’s in with voters like you…Do you ever see anyone else’s point of view?
I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, but articles in the paper asked people to write letters to the DA in L.A…. Are you that ”illiterate” that you are NOT comprehending what’s in black and white? You keep asking ”what are their solutions?”, so tell me ”WHAT ARE YOUR SOLUTIONS’??…………………..waiting!! Yep, just as I thought, you have NONE … Please, you sound like you’re off your meds… You’re trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, and only making yourself look like a fool… Aren’t you the person who planned the Vigil? Perhaps if you had focused on what YOU were doing and quit worrying about what others were doing, it might have drawn a lot more participants… Try that sometime, it really does work!
sjgranai says
I am sorry you are such an angry person.
Magnetlady says
It certainly sounds like the Angry person is the ”one who keeps blaming everyone else” & has no answers, only complaining & whining … You’ve made this into Politics, when it’s about COMMUNITY… Have a nice life!
Danny says
So the Latinos are setting up a both to only inform their own??????
Any way this guy should of been put down years ago! But the AV is the dumping ground for this crap!
sjgranai says
Informing the Latino community is essential. Getting them into ACTION is crucial.
The non-reporting issue in the Latino culture is vital to the success of stopping this. More time for outreach and activism is needed to have classes and on ground canvassing to reach the local non-english speaking residents.
This could buy us six months EASY! Enough time for Judge Brown to retire and the newly elected judge to.make a ruling. We have a GREAT CHANCE that way!
Granny m says
42 victims ,I have lived here over 30 years,look up Donald BArtsma on the Internet he started his crime spree of rApe here ,supposedly he was mental but was released after a period of time.but guess what he continued his mayhem in other states . He is now back in prison for who knows how long . Thank God he left the Av for who knows how many persons would have been victimized here .
sjgranai says
Are we, as residents of the AV, willing to offer Martyn Haggett a large sum of money to NOT rent to Christopher Hubbart? Buy us more time to get ordinances and bills passed to severely restrict future attempts to move him here?
Martyn Haggett and other investors stand to make ALOT of money renting to SVPs. There are SVPs on waiting lists to get out just as soon as they find housing. How are we going to stop the AV from becoming where these investors make their money at our expense??
Right now, Martyn Haggett has the AV hostage. It is about time we start negotiating. It is a VERY temporary situation and we better have a PERMANENT plan in the works right behind it.
Eric says
Safety is the prime issue in this. Not just the citizens safety, but the offenders as well. There is a very easy solution to all this, unfortunately, if I advocated it, I’d be receiving a visit from the Feebs later.
sjgranai says
All protesting is going to do is incite more anger and create vigilantes. There is no purpose in “marching” other than for it to be grandstanding.
What SOLUTION is being offered?
None of us want him here but nobody is giving up a legally viable solution.
so all the grand gestures do nothing.
The letters are form letters…which is the equivalent of ONE (per specific form letter) reason he shouldn’t come here.
When alarm systems can be as cheap as $25 a month and a dog and a gun will work too….saying people are too low income to afford the alarm system may not be enough.
And if people don’t think this is about politics….they have lost their damn minds. The silence from Non-candidates is deafening. They KNOW this is not going to be easy to win. They aren’t going to make promises the candidates are making.
um, ok. says
America has a deep history of marches and protests that result in changes being made. Every time you post I think that you are the exact type of person the government loves. You’ll lay down and take whatever they give because just by using your voice, and putting your foot down it will “incite anger”.
Security systems are great and everyone loves a good guard dog…but come on, the issue here isn’t the fact that this guy is “just a rapist”. This guy has raped 42 times and I’d venture to say that the number is higher than that. Every community has their share of sex offenders and we all do our best to protect ourselves and our kids. This guy isn’t your run of the mill sex offender.
While I understand what you are trying to say, you have to understand the implications of what it would mean to this community to just lay down and take whatever trash the judges want to dump here.
sjgranai says
I never said lay down. I said where is a viable solution that is legal?
NOBODY is offering one at these marches.
Danny says
No house no place to live
sjgranai says
Ask the “activists” what their solution is…not a single idea between them.
They don’t know the laws and they don’t have a legal solution that is feasible. So it is a bunch of kicking and screaming… With no point other than “not here”.
I am sure the judge has never heard that before. There is a homeowner willing to have this man live there. It costs the state less to put him in his own home vs continued stay in the hospital.
Hell…this could be how Martin Haggett gets filthy rich..buying up homes dirt cheap and putting these Sexually Violent Predators (SVP) in them. Nothing in the law to stop him.
Once they find a place to house him, the battle is damn near a done deal. We have no ordinances stopping it. Jessica’s Law pretty much demands they get placed out here.
So….big smart Dr. Coronado and women on a mission….what is the solution that is legal at this point? We can’t change the law overnight…so what is the immediate solution?
A Lady in Lancaster says
Problem is landlords profit renting homes to parolees, that’s why AV has hundreds living here, and activism should aim at landlords. Plus, I’m not sure, do parolees get Section 8? So the government pays the rent? That phenomenon seems to have developed on its own, a combined result of overflowing prisons and corporations buying up houses then renting them. Real activism to stop this problem would go to the cause, the landlords getting rich by renting to parolees. Who’s paying the rent? I doubt any of the landlords profiting from this live nearby. . . SJGranai here has hit the nail on the head. landlords are getting rich and activists need to take action to stop it.
William says
I haven’t been able to find out if there is public access to who owns Sections 8 homes, condos or other rentals. It anyone knows how to access those names of landlords, please post it here.
It’s those landlords who actually get the the money not the voucher holders who get all the criticism.
Meanwhile, I notice that the GOP legislators don’t even go near reforming
Section 8 while they cut food stamps, lunch for school children and refuse to expand Medicaid in the red states.
Why do you or anyone else suppose that the GOP doesn’t address the landlords getting government money to rent those homes and/or pay off their mortgages at tax payer expense.
THAT is the real Section 8 scandal. Let them rent those homes on the open market and see how the ‘free enterprise system works’.
Apparently, those Section 8 landlords are ‘Welfare Kings’.
sjgranai says
Felonies and drug charges disqualify you for section 8 if memory serves me right. However…felons on psyche meds or needing special treatment get CDC housing assistance (my agency source may be incorrect). This how so many sober livings were cropping up in the AV a while back. Our elected leaders took action to stop that. Thank you.
Now we have sec8 investors and SVP special housing money making scheme flourishing (svp is budding)…let’s stop it NOW with legislation.
sjgranai says
Do you hear yourself?
“Not here in the AV”
“Let him live in the judge’s neighborhood”
Ok….if not here, where? Common reply “i don’t care just not here.” Given the idea that you think he is going to rape again..what you are saying is you want him to rape in another town…just not In this one. And you don’t care if that happens in another town.
Also, people believing Christopher Hubbart is going to rape again want him to rape the judge’s wife, sisters, children and grandchildren….and his neighbors. That should be the consequence for Judge Brown letting him out of the hospital.
AV people…do you hear yourself? Do you hear how disgusting and sick we sound as a community. You are wishing rape on women!
Eric says
“If not here, then where…” How about still in prison. This isn’t the kind of guy that deserves to be released.
They have no problems holding people in prison indefinitely because they refuse to reveal a source that outed government corruption, or exposed some shady deal, yet they have no problem releasing a man who raped 40+ women. As far as you saying that people are advocating for him to rape again, you are putting words in peoples’ mouth.
sjgranai says
He is not in prison. That is where people are wrong. It is a CIVIL commitment in a mental hospital. He is not being held for punishment, he cannot be punished anymore. We have a law against double jeopardy. He has completed the phases of treatment and is moving on to the next phase. That phase includes conditional release.
Our lawmakers, doctors and SCOTUS approved this process.
Do I want him out? No. But we are in legal battle here, not an emotional one.
No solutions are being offered that are viable.
Eric says
Our lawmakers, doctors, and SCOTUS have approved plenty of processes that are not in the interest of the people. He should have never been let out of prison to begin with.
Fun fact, plenty of sex offenders that sit on doctors boards, current lawmakers, and on SCOTUS. No big surprise they “approved” these processes, their likely to be subject to it one day.
sjgranai says
What I am getting at is that there is NO VIABLE SOLUTION being presented. Just alot of hysteria and anger.
“I don’t want him here” is not going to hold up in court.
NOBODY wants them in their neighborhood. What makes US different? THAT is what we need to be in groups talking about.
Hard facts.. we need to have FACTS to back up our battle cry.
But not a single one is being provided. And the ONE course of action that COULD win is being ignored. WHY?
The reason is a damn good reason but it flies in the face of the Tea Party organizers of this group. They can’t get past the ‘reason’ and go at it that way because of their racist ways.
Lake LA is a majority Latino population. Many undocumented workers. The men leave home early in the morning, leaving women with their children at home. Undocumented workers will NOT report as victims of crimes. They fear deportation so they keep it all quiet.
What that creates is a perfect storm for this man to get out and pick on an already disenfranchised community. He will have free run of the undocumented workers’ families out there.
I was at the VERY FIRST meeting and brought this statistical FACT to the table. A fact that continues to go ignored. Why there is not an OUTRAGE by the Latino community on this basis alone… I have no idea.
If ANY one community could raise the biggest issue out of this.. it would be the Latinos. Why wouldn’t the Tea Party leaders of the ladies want to do that? Need I really explain? God forbid the “Mexicans” actually sway this whole situation for the good of the whole community.
This is a CAMPAIGN PLOY for so many right now. It is getting them free camera time and they are scaring the hell out of the residents. Instead of going at it with the best possible population.. they won’t because goes against their right wing nature.
sjgranai says
my responses are all awaiting moderation
sjgranai says
And no..I am not putting words in anyone’s mouth. If people believe he is going to rape again, why would they want him to live next door to the judge and his family? If people think he is going to rape again but demand he live in another town..that means they want him to rape there…not here.
I am putting it out there…the exact intent of their words.
Eric says
No, it just means they don’t want him here. Nobody is advocating for someone else to be raped. By your logic, just because I oppose a burglar being released into my town, I’m advocating him to burgle elsewhere.
sjgranai says
If the burglar served his time and paid his dues to society, your opinion wouldn’t matter.
If you swore he was going to do it again… why would you wish him to live in another town?
I am sure it would still bother you that SOMEONE was going to be burglarized… but it is some comfort to you that it wouldn’t be YOU or anyone in your neighborhood.
Guess it just sucks to be the people living in whatever place they put him.. as long as it isn’t you.
Magnetlady says
After reading your ‘rants’, I have come to the conclusion that you are ”FAR LEFT” in your thinking… Why are you picking on the Tea Party?? They were NEVER mentioned in the article… Are you just making this stuff up to STIR THE POT???? Liberal Democrat much??? Look who’s making it POLITICAL, you are!! Who cares if there was a Tea Party person with these Ladies? The only one who has NO ANSWERS is YOU!! If you’re so damned ”smart”, put it on the table or SHUT UP! Have you contacted the Judge? Have you sent letters? What are you doing?…According to the articles, there were more people at the Rally than a Vigil.. I HOPE you were NOT praying for the ”Rapist”, or were you? YOU are the one who appears to be hoping another person is RAPED…no one else on this thread is… you’re accusing everyone in your comments, except yourself… Get a LIFE and move on! DO you have a JOB? The Antelope Valley has a population of about 250,000 people… and 60 people showed up for a Vigil?????????????? Poor planning I’d say!
sjgranai says
According to the article….that’s is based off of the Rally reporting and the AV press being at the vigil. Besides….when two or more are gathered in His name…well..that trumps form letters any day of the week.
Now if you believe a Holy Saturday protest holds more power than a group in prayer….that is your right to be in the minority.
I am laughing at the idea of being far left….I’ve accepted my libertarian label to some degree. I’m too far right for my own Dem party.
I was at the table twice with the organizers. Their need for media hype and attention was a bit much for me. Their ignoring a MAJOR point of this issue and saying it wasn’t important was disrespectful. They DEMANDED microphone time at the Vigil….and when they were denied….they took their toys and went home.
So…back to the point at hand. With all the protesting….what are their demands? What is their solution?
Do THEY think they are above asking God for a bit of help? Obviously so since they openly discouraged people from going. How sad that they would prefer to gather in hate than in peace and humility.
Nancy P says
While people are writing letters and protesting sentencing guidelines, maybe everyone also needs to make sure that criminals stop having more rights than law abiding citizens.
So many times, incidents can’t be checked into due to some type of privacy law. State and Fed programs can’t even pass info on to eachother due to “their” rights.
A concerned citizen can’t even find out if the guy walking around the neighborhood with his ankle monitor, has moved into the neighborhood.
He stole from many residents in the neighborhood, went to jail for 18 months (June 2012) and is now waundering around the neighborhood again. Hiding in bushes and talking to himself. Shaking his fist at anyone who dares to look at him. Scary
Eric says
Laws are of little concern for the government, they break them freely. A concerned citizen could always approach the man in question and ask what he is up to, and where he lives, unless the concerned citizen is afraid of being considered nosy. Its your neighborhood, you have a right to protect it. Stop trying to violate someone else’s privacy to avoid doing work.
Nancy P says
Your comment was less than helpful. You sound like a total dirt bag! I have no interest in violating a criminals rights. I do think it’s a shame that criminals have so many rights when they have no respect for any one else’s rights.
Eric says
I catch some guy snooping around my bushes, or my neighbors bushes, I’m asking him what he is doing and he belongs there. If that makes me a dirtbag, so be it.
And criminals don’t have much in the way of rights. Their 2nd and 4th amendment rights are stripped immediately. The least the can do is maintain a little privacy if they didn’t kill or harm anyone.
bird says
Nancy P—Your comments are less than helpful, when putting someone down with ugly words. Please try to be more civil.
Nancy P says
Back atcha bird. You, or who ever you are pretending to be’ always has something nasty to say to me. Go pick on someone else and take your “friends” with you. Being concerned about a crazy guy walking around the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night when he has a violent and criminal history is not a small thing. Walking around the very neighborhood where he has a history of stealing from the people who live there? Go make some calls or something!
as says
She’s always quick to fly off the handle when someone doesn’t agree with her. And then puts people down for no reason. But then says “go pick on someone else”. Hmmm..
Nancy P says
sure she is. haha. and you are quick to change your name and support your alter ego!
bird says
Call the police! Are you and your neighbors getting together to do something? It’s called neighborhood watch. You and your neighbors should be helping each other to stay safe.
Nancy P says
Neighborhood Watch meeting 4/24 at Lancaster City hall @ 6 pm. Anyone going?
Jodi says
Attend one of the events. Sign a letter. Show your support for the Antelope Valley and we stand up with us to fight them using us as a dumping ground
bunchoffbs! says
I keep asking myself,why is it we keep getting the BS in the AV? Why not send these people to Beverly Hills or next to the LA’s mayors community! Weres them activist when we need them to help us protect our communities?
anonymous says
Maybe because citizens of the AV have a way of making these problems ‘disappear’ from the face of the globe. Let him come, it will work itself out rather quickly.
thuthfull! says
Wink wink ;)! So true!
Db says
As a long time resident of this community I just wanted to say “Thank You” to all of the people involved in rallying against the release of this monster in our community. I know it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice and it’s so nice to see that people are working together for a common good. P.S. I have had all of my family members and friends sign the letters and they went in the mail this last Monday…Keep up the Good Fight!
Carol says
We have to write this judge tell him to move him next door to his home. we dont want this guy where we live. Gilbert Brown Street Address: 190-200 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Click to see map and get driving directions.
Click to view public transportation info.
Mailing Address: 191 N. First Street San Jose, CA 95113
Hubbart, who admitted to raping approximately 40 women between 1971 and 1982, was ordered to be conditionally released to a location in the Antelope Valley.
Carol says
Street Address: 190-200 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Click to see map and get driving directions.
Click to view public transportation info.
Mailing Address: 191 N. First Street San Jose, CA 95113
Call his office Gilbert Brown (408) 808-7130