MILWAUKEE -- A celebration of independence - from violence.
That was the theme for dozens of residents in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood, marking July 4th only days after violence garnered most of the attention.
Hamilton, 16, said last week she watched with horror as crowds of other teenagers swarmed the park on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Some among the throngs of people torched garbage cans and threw rocks at MCTS buses and MPD squads.
Today, she and her friends helped facilitate the July 4th parade, picnic and host friendly games and competition.
"This is the truer scene because this is the community we have," Hamilton added.
Mayor Tom Barrett also took part in the festivities, visiting Sherman Park among many other stops along his July 4th itinerary.
