Police took to the streets Saturday for a march to end violence.
Hundreds of churchgoers and other community members took place in the I Love My City March ending near Nellis Boulevard and Craig Road. The march lasted about 40 minutes, starting at Nellis Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue.
Metro and Victory Outreach Church hold a PEACE RALLY to address the spike in violent crime. Hundreds show up! @KTNV pic.twitter.com/S6sjePLDBy
— Michael Burton (@MikeBurtonKTNV) May 22, 2016
The purpose of the march is to raise awareness about and reduce neighborhood violence since there have been 70 homicides this year. More than 50 percent of them are connected to gang violence, and most of the valley's recent incidents involve people younger than 30.
In addition to the march, there was free food, speakers, live music, a puppet show, face painting and other entertainment.
The march is sponsored by Victory Outreach Summerlin, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Black Police Association, and the Nevada Latino Police Officers Association.
Religious leaders are hoping that faith will spur change.
"We want to be able to come out and bring some hope and bring some answers to what's taking place," said Pastor Garcia of Victory Outreach.
"A lot of members from the church, they come from similar backgrounds so let's them know that they listen," Garcia said. "There's been change in my life and the same change that's happened to me, it's also possible within your life and your family."
Some church members had criminal pasts of their own, which is why they have so much passion for the march and its mission.
"We're just like you. We were there, and now there's been a change in our lives," Alex Salas said. "And now our lives are not only lives a dignity but lives of clear cut purpose."
For one marcher, Eric, his brother was shot and killed in 2014.
"I was actually in the car,” he says. “After the shootout, I went out through the front and after that I ran. Next thing I know, my brother is dead."
He says he's living proof that violence is not the answer.
"I came from doing nothing, being nothing, to being somebody, being a member of Victory Outreach."
Another I Love My City March was held in the northwest area last month.
