MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is urging churches to preach a message of non-violence this Sunday. It's part of the 13th annual Ceasefire Sabbath.
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City leaders, including Milwaukee's Mayor and District Attorney John Chisholm spoke at a prayer breakfast Wednesday to kick off the week-long event.
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The mayor said while young people involved in crimes do not often go to church, their mothers or grandmothers do.
Inside Christ the King Baptist Church, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn gave a sobering reminder of why they were all there.
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"Violence takes a toll on all of us. It takes a toll on the active victims of violence, it takes a toll in the psychology of communities, it takes a toll on the police, don't think it doesn't," said Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn.
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The Mayor also recognized the mother of Za'layia Jenkins, who sat as a silent example of the impact gun violence has on our community. Her little girl was shot and killed at 15th and Meinecke while watching television. The bullet was fired during an exchange of gunfire between two groups outside.
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The mayor is also speaking at three places of worship Sunday, May 21. He urges all faith leaders to spread a message of peace.
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