Marching down Kingsessing Avenue on Saturday, the Commandoes Drill Team and Drumline helped a community continue to heal.<\/p>\n
They kicked off the annual Peace Not Guns Festival in Southwest Philadelphia. It’s a chance for neighbors to come together on a block that has seen its share of violence.<\/p>\n
“It definitely helps unite the community and promotes positivity,” said Lorraine Green, who lives in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
The festival, now in its third year, was started by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. It takes place near the corner of 60th and Kingsessing, where a mass shooting<\/a> happened in July 2024. Nine people were shot, and one died.<\/p>\n “We made a commitment to come back and wrap my arms around this community. At the end of the day, this community is more than the shooting that took place,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n Hundreds of neighbors and more than 60 community organizations who help support victims of gun violence and their loved ones filled the block for an afternoon of fun.<\/p>\n “This is every year, and it’s nice we don’t have any problems, everybody has a good time, and I’m out here to have a good time,” said Polly Thompson, who lives in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n The festival featured carnival rides, face painting and giveaways such as free food and winter coats. Mental health and community resources were also available.<\/p>\n “We need more of this, to come together, to do this type of stuff out here because without this a lot of people miss out on greatness, and to me this is greatness out here,” Clarence Dorsey said.<\/p>\n Johnson said the festival represents what community is all about, spreading love while promoting the message of Peace Not Guns.<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n