MILWAUKEE — A community led group called Amani United organized a march against gun violence in Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon.
The hot weather didn’t stop over a dozen people from showing up to the event.
This marks the fifth year the group has organized this event. Many kids, teens and adults marching in the event said they personally know someone who has been victim of gun violence.
Myking Westmoreland is just 13-years-old and helped organize the annual event. He said ending violence important to him because this is the community he calls home. He has served on the Amani Youth Council for the past few years.
“I’ve seen a lot of kids get hurt, or get shot, or in jail,” Westmoreland said. “I don’t want that to happen anymore. That’s why I am here."
Westmoreland said he’s seen violence first-hand. His 28-year-old brother was shot, which took a toll on his family.
“The last thing he heard when he fainted was his daughter screaming his name,” he said. “His daughter was standing there when he got shot."
So far this year in Milwaukee, 60 kids have been shot and survived, but 11 kids have lost their lives to gun violence.
The kids marching in the event said they are tired of seeing their friends get shot and even killed.
“I feel like everybody is dying that is our age,” Maliyah Mitchell said. “There are teens out there that are dying for no reason.”
Mitchell is also a member of the Amani Youth Council.
The Amani neighborhood is located on the city’s northwest side and is one of many affected by gun violence.
Westmoreland said this annual event he feels like it’s making an impact on the community.
“I want to be a part of it because I don’t want to see people get hurt,” he said. “A lot of people get hurt.”
The group is rallying together for safer streets and to build a community against violence.