New Orleans, La. - As bullets were flying in Central City, people were praying for peace in the 7th Ward. It's an area that has seen it's share of violence.
Neighbors gathered in front of Seal's Outreach Social and Pleasure Club. Owner Cecile Dalton is know in the area as "Miss Seal." She's been in business in the 7th Ward for 15 years and lived here all her life. She loves her neighbors, but is disappointed in what's happening in the 7th Ward.
"Enough is enough," said Miss Seal. "We need to take back our streets. We've got a lot of senior citizens that are afraid to come out. My mother is here. She can't even go to church at night because she is afraid. We need to take back our streets."
She and a group of friends hit the streets for a peace walk. Organized by Silence is Violence, it's one of several events during Strike Against Crime Week.
"Marches create awareness," said Tamara Jackson with Silence is Violence. "Often times we go out in the neighborhoods, folks are not even aware that a homicide happened in their area."
There have been five murders in New Orleans this year. Two of them have been in the 7th Ward.
"As a community we need to come together and reach out to these young men and these young lades and let them know there is love," said Miss Seal. "They don't have to solve it by the violence and the killings that's going on."
Police did make an arrest in the beating death in the 7th Ward. Henry "Hank" Dolliole, 39, was booked with first degree murder after New Orleans Police say he confessed to the killing.
For more information on Silence is Violence, go to www.silenceisviolence.org
Residents pray in 7th Ward before Peace Walk (Photo by Jessica Holly)
