Children vow to 'stop the violence'

They signed the pledge during Sunday services at the Abba church. The children promised to stay away from guns, not to bully their classmates, and not to hit someone in anger.

Later, the congregation tied black and yellow ribbons around the trees at Julian high school as a symbol of peace.

"It's a wonderful thing that someone's actually doing something about it. You see all these people 'oh it's so horrible that that child just died but yet they're sitting on their butt in the middle of their kitchen watching the news. Do something about it. Let them know somebody cares," said Morgan Park High School student Khristian Cosey.

Organizers will visit other churches and schools in the coming week to encourage other children to take the pledge.