SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Community leaders gathering at the Morris Performing Arts Center to rally for peace within the community.

One of their main focuses, dismantling violence across our nation.

Prayer for Peace Rally organizer Lynn Coleman says he has made it his mission to have the community gather as one in hopes of ending violence in the area.

“I think you saw the diversity of people who were here. And so we can do this. We can win. We can make our communities a better place if we come together and be one” says Coleman

Different religious leaders spoke about how different religions can still unify as one in the community.

Canneth Lee, South Bend 1st District Council Member, says, “It’s very important that the religious community come together and I believe when we come together we can bring about a spiritual change that helps to bring about positive change throughout the nation.”

Gun violence was a topic during today’s rally.

This after a shooting on the city’s southeast side left a woman dead last night.

Coleman says everyone has to deal with guns either in person or by hearing about it.

But says the focus needs to be on people with attitude and behavior issues who carry firearms.

“It’s not just one group or one ethnicity, one faith base, but it’s a total community. And so we think it’s important to invite total community to come to join us. Whether it be black, white, Hispanic, Asian, doesn’t matter. Young, old, Eastside, Westside, Northside, Southside. It doesn’t matter. It’s important to have everybody joined together,” says Coleman.

Janet Gunn, who sang during today’s rally, says all of the songs promote peace and unity.

“No matter what the race is, whether the race is white or the race is black, they can just come together with the unity and love of God,” says Gunn.

Organizers say they hope the peace rally will promote peace in our community and across the country.