ALGIERS, La. - A group of about 50 people responded to recent violence by holding a candlelight prayer service. The event, at the University of Holy Cross, included students, faculty and members of the community.
"Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace," the group sang.
Through song and readings from different faiths, people of all ages and backgrounds asked for unity against violence.
"In order to have pace we need to get to know each other," said Angie Ruiz through the microphone.
The 'Candlelight Peace Prayer Service' came the same day as four of the 17 people gunned down and killed in Florida were laid to rest.
"Especially students killed in school shootings we pray," said Ruiz.
It also came as New Orleans Police investigate the 36 homicides and dozens of shootings that have happened so far this year. Eyewitness News asked students what they thought of 2018 so far and many became upset.
"I think it's been really bad and I think it has to do with how society is today," said junior Brooke Dias.
"Well we need peace," said Ruiz.
Ruiz is the Mission Integration Vice President at the University of Holy Cross. She helped organize the event to help bring people, especially youth, together during this troubled time.
"They are our future," she said. "They give us hope and they give us what to look forward to. I believe they'll be the ones to change our culture and our world."
One student in attendance, was Gregory Gaines, a junior at the school. He says the violence, crime and hate here locally and across the nation have to stop.
"It's sad," he said. "Just to put it all in one word. It's a lot to deal with it and it just needs to be stopped. If we can just look beyond the racial, religious barriers and just look at each other as a human being and learn to get along we'll be fine."
The event was brief, but their message of peace was strong and with candles lit and voices raised as one these classmates, colleagues, and strangers hope their words will shine bright across the city.
"It's important because you have nothing but violence when you open your phone or go on Facebook or other social media," said Gaines. "This is just the start of something that can turn out to be amazing and we need more often."
"I think our generation is going to be the generation to change it and do better," said Dias.