A call to stop gun violence against children in Philadelphia

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Community members from the Million Father March weighed in Wednesday about the recent gun violence against youngsters in the city.

Young Cinya Vincent led adults in the Imani Pledge, a peace pledge from the Seventies created to end gang violence.

Her words come on the heels of multiple shootings where youngsters have been hit by gunfire.

In the latest, Tuesday night, a 12-year-old girl was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children suffering a gunshot wound to the thigh.

A stray bullet hit her as she left a corner store.

So far this week, six youngsters have been shot in Philadelphia.

Last week an 8-year-old Camden girl died from stray gunfire.

At Wednesday's meeting of the Million Father March, the group was preparing for their annual back-to-school walk. The recent violence was on their minds.

"It takes a village to raise a child," said Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones. "We're asking fathers who may not feel adequate because of income to step up and be a father, to do a second tour of duty."

"We are all equal, and we are all God's children, and we should all be treated the same way and care for each other," said Vincent. "And we should be looking out for each other instead of killing each other with bullets."

"Our main objective is to change their conditioning, the way they are thinking, so we can change their behavior," said Colwin Williams of Philadelphia Ceasefire. "You can't change a person's behavior until you change the way they think."

Many of the recent shootings, both in Philadelphia and Camden remain unsolved.

Rewards are being offered in some of the cases, and police say you can remain anonymous when offering tips.