'Stop the Violence' event draws dozens to Downtown Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of people in the community came together on Saturday to help "Stop the Violence" in Downtown Fresno.

The event at the Fresno Water Tower focused on ministry and unity. Attendees received free food, and there were games on hand for kids. Organizers hope the event will help spread the message of peace to neighborhoods across the Valley and that gang violence is not the right way of life.

"I was a victim. I've been shot eight times. I lost my brother to this. I lost a couple friends to this. This is personal to me, so we're just out here trying to make sure everybody understands that there's something else to do," Grace and Truth Baptist Church Minister Joel Jones said.

The next "Stop the Violence" event will take place in April.