Community leaders and representatives from the neighborhoods where the Memorial Weekend shootings occurred met to denounce the violence and call for change.
The gathering of about 40 people was held at Teutonia and Hampton Avenues Tuesday morning.
"We've got to teach our young people, we've gotta teach our young adults it ain't worth it," said State Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee.
Taylor was just one of many local lawmakers who showed up at what organizers called an "emergency press conference."
Milwaukee Alderwoman Milele Coggs called the shootings an opportunity for change.
"It's an opportunity for us to learn and grow. To recognize what we must do, ourselves in our own homes on our own blocks in our own community" Coggs said.
The organizer of the Memorial Day weekend anti-violence gathering, "Heal the Hood" said the group plans to add several more weekend events this summer to combat the violence.
"You have to be hands on, you have to have the outreach, you have to make sure you are in the communities and let them know that there is hope and people are advocating for you," said Jessica Butler.
Tuesday's event was organized by the group "Office of Violence Prevention."
