Hundreds March for Peace and Children on Madison, Wisc Southwest Side

Hundreds March for Peace and Children on Madison, Wisconsin
Photo by Paul McMahon, (Heartland Images)

Updated - Madison, Wisconsin — Led by 100s of young people, a festive peace march walked down Raymond Road on a beautiful Saturday August morning on Madison's southwest side.

Their message was clear: Stop the violence; save our children, as religious and secular attendees laughed together under the late-morning sun.

Asked why they were participating, Madisonian Nino Amato driving a white MINI Cooper convertible with a young man of approximately six-years, said, "We're here for the children. It's all about peace. We are many together and we stand against hate."

Some 500 marchers and 20 cars made the 1.3 mile jaunt from the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Raymond Road to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on McKenna Blvd.

Occurring in the wake of Charlottesville and an emboldened white supremacist movement, the Communities United: Stop the Violence! Save our Children! march was held "in light of the recent violence and shootings in Madison," notes a press release.

The rally had a strong social justice and peace theme of a national scale.

"Future Dr., Don't Shoot," read a sign held by a young black man of approximately five-years-old. Near the young man was a sign, reading "Peace, Not Hate."

"Hey, Hey. Ho, Ho. Violence has got to go," chanted one group of marchers in front of the Meadowood Shopping Mall.

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin attended the rally and could be seen with streams of well-wishers joking with, and thanking the Mayor for his support of the event and the southwest community.

Dozens of well-wishers lined Raymond Road. Many shouted "Thank you. Thank you," and waved as marchers passed by.
---
Below are more photos of the event. All photos by Paul McMahon of Heartland Images.