Newark residents came together Sunday in a rally against the recent surge in violence in the city.

After nine shootings in 10 days, a group of over a dozen people marched past Bethany Baptist Church in a mock funeral procession. The group, which is frustrated and fed up, wants local religious leaders to join their fight to stop violence in the city. They are hoping the churches will provide grief counseling to families in need and help with funeral expenses. The group of protesters is also hoping the churches will lend their facilities for meetings, workshops and training.

Before Sunday?s march concluded, the head of Bethany came out to greet the marchers and agreed that his church would join the effort against violence.

The group plans to visit as many churches and houses of worship as possible in Newark and the surrounding areas over the next few weekends.