The rally was designed to send several clear messages.

First, that the violence had to stop and that community members were not going to tolerate it.

Second, that the park belongs to the people – families and their children – and not to the thugs who would overtake it.

Third, that the people will not be intimidated.

Criminals often rely on intimidation to keep good people from doing what needs to be done. Because of that, sometimes good people forget that they far, far outnumber the bad and, furthermore, that the good forces of society are on their side. It is the criminals' wish to make people think their situation is hopeless.

And, indeed, it does take courage to stand up, but once that is done the thugs usually scurry like so many cockroaches exposed to the light. They cannot stand the glare.