BOSTON - While many counted their blessings and celebrated with family, others were remembering their losses this Mother's Day.
On Sunday, thousands of mothers and activists took part in the 22nd annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace in Boston.
The annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace isn't a celebratory event, but rather a way to move forward and cope with loss.
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"I'm here representing my son who was murdered on the streets of Dorchester on August 11, 2014," said Annetta Dingle-Smith.
The Walk for Peace started in 1996 to support mothers and honor the lives of the children they lost to violence.
According to an event press release by the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, this year's Walk took place just a few weeks after the #MarchForOurLives and was a huge opportunity to address gun violence and discuss necessary actions that needed to be taken.
The 6.8-mile walk from Dorchester to City hall was joined by survivors, providers, allies, community-based organizations, elected officials and leaders. At the end of the walk, a Peace Flag was raised at City Hall.
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"This is just showing everybody that one homicide is too many, and God bless the mother's who've lost loved ones to senseless violence," said Boston Police Chief William Gross.
The seven-mile trek from Dorchester is a way to remember those lost while continuing to fight for justice and change.
"It is time that we invest in prevention, that we offer possibilities that will let these young people live out their purpose," said Tina Chery, who lost her son to violence.
It's been 22 years since families first walked together in the Mother's Day Walk for Peace in Boston. This year edition took place in the wake of the shooting deaths of two innocent men last week in Jamaica Plain. One arrest has been made in the case.
"You should be able to sit outside of your home and relax with your neighbors and celebrate - they didn't deserve to die like that," said BPD Chief Gross.
"We cannot bring them back, but this is how we move them forward," said an unidentified musical performer.