The marching band led the way as students from St. Elizabeth elementary and high schools paraded around the Fruitvale section of the city. Their march was part of a national Catholic school's week call for peace, but with a particular focus on Oakland.
"It needs to start with the kids because if they don't learn peacemaking and skills and negotiation for peace while they are children, it's too late by the time they are adults," says Sr. Rose Marie Hennessy, St. Elizabeth School.
The kids singled out groups they think help keep the peace, such as the police and Catholic Charities.
