Students at Glenbrook South High School organized Saturday's event in Glenview's Jackson Park.
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Milagros Burgos lost her daughter to gun violence in Chicago in 2014.
"That call that no parent ever in their life wants to get, wants to hear. It was something that we never in a million years thought it would happen to anyone that we knew, let alone us," she said.
Protesters called on the government to pass stricter gun laws.
In Englewood, the community gathered for its annual "Peace Fest." They wore orange to honor gun violence victims, survivors and their families.
The event was held as a block party, in hopes to unite neighbors ahead of the summer. Organizers usually host the event in late August, but said it was critical to host the event sooner this year.