There was music to bring folks together and get them moving, food was on the grill, and tables set up to connect people with resources.
"This is for peace,” said Chanta Davis from Forward Fresh Community Assistance and Re-Entry Center. “This is to show that West Side Baltimore we're here generating peace, we're having a good time."
The rally was the third one held this week. It's all part of Shooting 4 Peace, an effort to stop the violence in Baltimore.
"We want to share a message of hope, peace, making good choices," said Shooting 4 Peace Organizer Ray Sydnor.
Sydnor grew up in Sandtown, and went on to play football for the Philadelphia Eagles. This week he brought former pro-athletes to Charm City and they've been hitting Baltimore schools to talk to the students, and hopefully have a powerful impact with their star status and positive messages.
"If more people would step up, as far as the parents would step up to the community and get involved, it would make a great difference," said Terri Jackson.
"We need to see people that came from nowhere that got somewhere, and they coming back to give back to the city and let people know that wherever you reside at you can become someone, and do the things that you want to do, and make your dreams come true,” Maureen Marable said.
"It's really about the kids,” said James Easley. “If we can set an example for the kids, things would be really smooth."
The Shooting 4 Peace initiative wraps up this weekend with a basketball game at Coppin State University, its former NBA stars versus the Baltimore City Legends. The game starts at 3 p.m. and Ray Lewis will speak at half time. Click here for ticket information.
See also: Events in and around Baltimore
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