"Trying to create something positive:" Honk 4 Peace movement calls for calm in Milwaukee



MILWAUKEE (WITI) - All the violence in Milwaukee has sparked a movement for peace. Several community members have joined together and are asking others to make some noise in the name of peace.

You can call them peace crusaders that are looking for change, and asking you to make some noise.

Richard Payne started the movement on Thursday, April 16th.

"I'm trying to create something positive," said Richard Payne.

Payne says the recent violence, gang activities, senseless killings and drug abuse have taken over the city he loves.

"I grew up here, I was raised here, I was born here, and you know this wasn't going on," said Richard Payne.

And Payne wants it to stop.

"I've had enough of it," said Richard Payne.

So Payne got creative and rallied his neighbors.

"We're out here till the violence stops. Trying to get everyone to realize that we need peace around here," said Mary Outlaw, supports Honk 4 Peace.

Their group grew from 4 people to 25.

"The more people who are involved in this we can actually prevent violence just a little bit for that day," said James Payne, supports Honk 4 Peace.

A simple honk or maybe the peace sign, all gestures of hope for this group. And they have no plans for lessening the noise.

"It's gonna go longer, this is not going to be a couple of weeks or a couple of days -- I'm going to continue this," said Richard Payne.

This group says their work is far from over.

They have another peace rally planned for Saturday, April 18th at Hampton and Fond du Lac Avenue -- it is scheduled to being at 10 a.m. The group is asking everyone to meet in the Walgreens parking lot there on Hampton and Fond du Lac Avenue.

They will pass out signs and then hold a BBQ at Wahl Park at noon.