City council members, board of education members and residents came together Saturday to rally against violence in New Jersey.

Participants say the anti-violence protest attracted people from all over New Jersey to call for a stop to violence and demonstrate solidarity. Protesters say the rally broke racial and religious barriers for the common goals of peace and education.

Critics say the rallies have done little to quell violence in cities like Newark, Camden and Trenton. But those in attendance say they believe their demonstrations matter.

"If we save one life through a rally, I think that we did a good job at the end of the day," one protester says.