INDIANAPOLIS — To understand what someone is going through, you may need to take a walk in their shoes. Like shoes worn by parents who've lost their kids to gun violence.
"They're not just a number, they are my children," Antonia Bailey said.
Five years ago this weekend, Bailey's children Ashlynn and Nicholas were shot and killed. To remember them, she walked with dozens of people to bring awareness of gun violence in the city.
"Our community is hurting, our children are hurting, they are being raised by parents that are hurting," she said.
She and other moms joined to help parents who feel the same pain.
"Every time I hear someone else died of gun violence, it breaks my because I know the nightmare they are about to live," another mom said.
The walk on 38th Street was organized by city and state leaders, but led by the kids who live in the community. The walk ended with a day full of programs and resources families can join.
With a rise in youth violence this year, organizers felt this walk was more important than ever.
"It's a one-day event that will leave lasting memories for our youth, their families and our community," State Senator La Keisha Jackson said.
Those kids hope their peers join their fight.
"Don't throw away your life in the streets, try to have a good life and do not waste it," one kid said.
A fight starting one stride at a time.