In the wake of several recent shootings, many of them involving young people, South Bend community and city leaders led a peace march through part of the city’s west side on Friday.
To date, the South Bend Police Department has responded to 36 shooting incidents, nine of which were fatal.
Speaking to the crowd, Imani Unidad Executive Director Debra Stanley said marches like this are a beginning, rather than an end.
She said in order to see real change, community members need to reach out and create support networks for young people who are struggling.
“They are hurting and they don’t know what to do with that hurt and pain," Stanley said. "But we can show them, asking them who they are, what they need, and how we can help them to get there.”
Community leaders plan to hold another peace march on Saturday, April 17. The march will begin at 10 a.m. with a prayer at 300 N. Huey St. Organizers plan to march north to Bertrand Street and west to Olive Street, ending at the Bertrand gas station.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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