Within the last seven days, seven people were killed in Birmingham. Five victims were under the age of 25.

On March 24, Mothers United Against Gun Violence, a Birmingham nonprofit, is hosting an anti-gun violence rally in partnership with the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Black Lives Matter and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The rally will take place at First Baptist Church of Ensley at 6 p.m. and is open to the community. Angela Walker, CEO of Mothers United, said the new partnership along with help from law enforcement and community members will implement effective violence intervention strategies throughout Birmingham.

“Violence is preventable, not inevitable,” Mark Haynes, Mothers United’s executive vice president, said. “We need to work together. We need to work strategically. We don’t have time to waste because lives are being lost.”

With spring break and summer approaching, experts say violence will pick up. Haynes said Mothers United will be hosting multiple events to provide victims of violence and those in need with resources and support.

On April 27, Mothers United will host a memorial service to remember those who died from violence as a part of the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

On May 4, Mothers United organizers will host their Inspire Her Luncheon for victims of violence to participate in a financial literacy and economic development workshop.

And on June 1, Haynes and Walker will host a gun violence awareness event at Kelly Ingram Park to encourage community members to stop the violence.

Mothers United also offers counseling and support group services, criminal justice system navigation and programs for youth.

“A lot of people are in homes, situations, communities where violence and negativity is all they see. We don’t want violence to become the norm. We cannot accept this as the norm,” Walker said.

“Wherever there is anything surrounding gun violence, we always want to have a voice. We always want to make it publicly, widely known that we are not standing by idle. We want to do whatever’s necessary. We want to bring people together. We want our voices and our work to get bigger and bigger as our consortium grows.