Mother's Day Walk for Peace Expected to Draw 15,000 in the Rain

Expect a sea of purple moving across Boston.

The Mother's Day Walk for Peace is underway. Organizers are expecting more than 15,000 people, despite the rain and soggy weather.

In its 21st year, the Walk for Peace starts in Dorchester, and ends in City Hall Plaza. It was started by Tina Chery in 1996 after her son Louis D. Brown was murdered. The yearly walk raises money to support mothers of murdered children, the walk also raises money for the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute-which helps families touched by homicide. 

This year's fundraising goal is $400,000. This year's funding priorities are the Intergenerational Justice Program, Training and Technical Assistance Center, and Statewide Survivors of Homicide Victims Network. More than 200 teams are registered for the event.

One of the mothers in the crowd was Ursala Ward, the mother of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd was killed by Aaron Hernandez. The conviction was recently thrown out after his suicide. Ward said this is her fourth Mother's Day walk.

The 2017 honorary co-chairs are Governor Baker and his wife, Lauren Baker. Mayor Martin Walsh and other city leaders will be here as well.

"Events like the Mother's Day Walk for Peace that bring together so many different groups of people are a big part of what makes Massachusetts such a great state," said Governor Baker. "Lauren and I applaud Chaplain Clementina Chery for the effort and passion she brings to spreading the message of peace in our Commonwealth each and every year."

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