Saturday night, kinesiology major Carson Souza and classmate Zac Vanasen decided to walk home but had no idea they were about to become the latest statistic in off-campus violence.

Souza said he and Vanasen were walking along Bulldog Lane toward Cedar Avenue when a white Chevy Malibu started to follow them. The passengers in the vehicle started to yell out the window, but Souza and Vanasen ignored them. The car then pulled in front of Souza and Vanasen and five passengers got out.

“Zac and I began to back up trying to explain that we weren’t saying anything to them and that we didn’t want any problems,” Souza said. “I was hit from the side and knocked unconscious.”

Souza regained consciousness, minus his wallet and phone. He went to the hospital and discovered his jaw was fractured in two places and he had a head concussion.

This week, the University Police Department posted crime alert notices on buildings all over campus because of the incident.

Violent incidents like this, along with the off-campus shooting death of Fresno State freshman Justin Hesketh over the winter break, provoked Associated Students, Inc. to take action and organize a Violence Awareness Week.

Starting Tuesday, the organizers will have a range of activities planned to inform students and also to give them a chance to express their concerns and provide an outlet for their grief.

“Justin was my best friend’s little brother,” said Violence Awareness Week organizer and ASI Senator Brandi Jacobs. “Students tend to think that it could never happen to them. But the truth is that it could happen at any time, anywhere. That’s the reason that Violence Awareness Week is being put on.”

On Tuesday, informational tables from several organizations will be set up in the Free Speech Area. Brochures and pamphlets will be handed out to provide information about different types of violence.

The following day, students will hand out black ribbons on the Free Speech platform. “The black ribbons symbolize violence,” Jacobs said.

“We’re also going to be tying black ribbons to trees all throughout campus,” said Jacobs.

T-shirts with a “Stop the Violence” message will be available for $10.

On Thursday, speakers from the Non-Violent Center of Fresno, the University police and Jacobs are scheduled to speak starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Satellite Student Union.

Violence Awareness week will be capped off, Friday, with “A Day of Remembrance” in the Free Speech Area.

“It will be a time for students to remember those lost to violence or also who were affected by violence,” added ASI Community Organizer Lauren Smoot.

Fresno State students led by ASI and the Interfraternity Council have worked hard to help contain incidents of violence on and around campus.

“Since the initial drive-by shooting this past summer on my Fraternity house on Shaw Ave., we have really come a long way,” said Michael Eberhard, Pi Kappa Alpha member and President of the Interfraternity Council. “But it is discouraging sometimes.

Just last night, a friend had her car broken into,” added Eberhard. “Vandalism and tagging also happens often.”

ASI senators Jacobs and Breannah Evans encourage all students to participate in next week’s activities.

“We’re trying to reach out to students just to be aware of their surroundings everywhere that they are,” Jacobs said.

Eberhard added, “I don’t know the solution to these problems. But as students, we are doing what we can to help and create change.”