SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Thursday morning, on the steps of San Francisco’s City Hall, city leaders and anti-violence community organizations, like United Playaz, and local youth called for a 24-hour ceasefire on Friday.

“We were at four homicides last year at this time; we are at 14 in San Francisco,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “This is a crisis point.”

Rudy Corpuz, Executive Director for United Playaz, said it’s going to take all parties to stop violence, the city and local organizations.

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“And if we’re successful in San Francisco, then maybe we can do Oakland, then we can do Richmond, we can do Vallejo, and then we can do a 24-hour ceasefire for the whole Northern California,” said Corpuz.

Organizers said the purpose of the ceasefire is to promote peace, strengthen coordination, prevent violence, and build safer communities.

“For a cease fire for our kids, y’all with me?” asked Corpuz, eliciting an applause from the gathered crowd.

The youth who participated took the platform to share their experiences.

“Bullets do not have a name on them; they do actually have a name, their name is destruction,” said one youth speaker.

Among the youth was Toni Bedford, sister of Keenan Erwin, who survived gun violence after being shot at Burton High School in 2025.

“As a big sister and as a leader, we have purpose, and the purpose is to push for peace,” said Bedford.

Corpuz also brought up some recent homicides that involved youth.

“We had young Jayada, 15 years old, who was killed not too far from here, gun violence. Hunters Point, we had a young brother up there who was killed,” said Corpuz.

San Francisco Police Chief Derrick Lew and Mayor Daniel Lurie said violence prevention is their top priority.

“One homicide is one too many, one shooting is one too many,” said Chief Lew.

“We are also making sure officers are not just responding to calls but are also present in the community,” said Mayor Lurie.

Children, Youth and Families Executive Director Sherrice Dorsey-Smith said their services are focused on connecting residents with critical mental health support.

She calls this ceasefire an important first step, a call to action to support and strengthen neighborhoods across the city.

“It takes a community to raise a child, and it takes a community to protect one, too,” said Dorsey-Smith.

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