Community bands together for 'Stop the Violence' rally

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Dozens of people packed a rally Tuesday evening to push for an end to the recent string of shootings in Shreveport.

The focus was to brainstorm a plan to stop the violence in nearly every community in the city.

It was standing room only at the "Stop the Violence" rally at Winnfield Funeral Home, and people of all ages got involved.

Preachers, pastors, politicians and the public joined together to take a stand against the recent violence in the city.

"How many more days will we sit in our living rooms, in our bedrooms, in our comfy onesies and pajamas shaking our heads in disapproval but not doing anything to make it better, how many more?" asked Chrystalyn Whitaker.

"I've grown up in a neighborhood where violence has been vibrant in our neighborhood, so I think it's time to put it to an end. The only way we can put it to an end is if we stop talking about it and get in the community and do something about it," said Alexander Eli, operations manager at Winnfield Funeral Home. "It should be that parents are being buried by their children, not children being buried by their parents so we have to do something about it quick."

Rally organizers shared their plan to put an end to the violence by providing more activities for at-risk youth and parents, education programs and male mentor-ship among others.

Organizers say Tuesday's rally is the first of many they plan to hold.

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