Little Rock, Arkansas – Dozens of people gathered in downtown Little Rock on Sunday afternoon, walking side by side in silence and solidarity during the 11th annual Pilgrimage for Peace. The event, organized by Pax Christi Little Rock, carried a simple but powerful message — that peace must be pursued with compassion, awareness, and a willingness to act.
Led by Mary Hunt, the director of Pax Christi Little Rock, participants began their journey at the River Market and made their way across the bridge to North Little Rock. Along the way, they carried signs calling for peace, remembrance, and community healing. For Hunt, who has guided the event for more than a decade, the annual walk serves as both a tribute to victims of violence and a call for renewed attention to the struggles facing the community.
“The significance is that we can’t just get desensitized from the violence going on in our community,” Hunt said.
She explained that too often, people become numb to the ongoing reports of crime and loss that affect local families. The walk, she said, is meant to help break that pattern — to remind everyone that behind each tragedy are real lives and loved ones left behind.
“We have to remember those who passed, we have to remember that they’ve got families, that they’re people that care about them,” Hunt added.
Participants came from a range of backgrounds — community leaders, faith groups, nonprofit organizations, and residents — all united by a shared hope of creating lasting change. During the event, speakers discussed how their organizations could continue to work toward reducing violence and building a stronger, more compassionate Little Rock.
Funds raised from the walk will benefit the Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits, a local nonprofit that provides support services for victims of crime. Hunt said the donation reflects the heart of the event: turning remembrance into action and helping those still recovering from loss.
For Crystal Amos, another supporter of the walk, the Pilgrimage for Peace represents a reminder that real change begins with individuals.
“We can do better as individuals, and we can do better as a country,” Amos said. “If we could just put aside partisanship, put aside your stripes and just care more about peace.”
As the group crossed into North Little Rock, the sound of footsteps and rustling signs replaced the usual noise of traffic. It was a moment of reflection — one that captured both the sorrow and the hope of a community determined not to give up on peace.
Hunt said she hopes the event continues to inspire people to take action year-round, not just during the annual walk. “It’s about being a beacon of hope for others,” she said. “Peace isn’t just a dream — it’s something we create together.”
