Hundreds of Tampa residents marched in a "Stop the Violence" rally Sunday afternoon.
The rally has been in works for months, sparked by shootings throughout the past year.
Marchers chanted, “Stop the violence,” and “Put the guns down!” Many carried signs with names and photographs of friends and family members who were killed by gunfire.
One of the marchers was Kenya Robinson. She lost her son to what she calls senseless violence.
“Just because they standing on another corner from one another, they just be killing each other for no reason,” said Robinson.
Robinson wears a photo of her son around her neck. He was one of two men killed Easter Sunday in a shooting at a Tampa park. Dozens of families had to run for cover.
Also this year, a 4-year-old was injured by a stray bullet during an exchange of gunfire in a Tampa neighborhood.
Continued gun violence prompted the rally, which came with a message of peace.
“It’s time for the change,” said co-organizer Otis House, “These beautiful kids, we need to be able to raise them right because they’re our future.”
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor was among the marchers.
“A lot of these young kids, they are settling disagreements with firearms as opposed to communication. So, we’re just trying to show support for non-violence,” said Chief Castor.
Support and a united voice from the residents who are hoping to bring change to their community.