The NIU and DeKalb communities came together to walk in the name of peace, unity and civility during Tuesday’s Unity Walk, which was inspired by clashes in Ferguson, Mo.

About 100 people got together and talked throughout the march. The event focused on the importance of community and equality above racial, socioeconomic and religious divisions.

The Unity Walk was coordinated by Pastor Joe Mitchell, DeKalb Police Chief Gene Lowery and NIU Police Chief Tom Phillips.

They were inspired to create the march after protests in Ferguson that following officer Darren Wilson shooting and killing Michael Brown in a controversial incident Aug. 9. Protestors and police clashed after Wilson was not charged for the shooting, which some protestors said had racial motivations.

“Let’s not wait for another tragedy to occur. Begin today by listening more and fighting less, by embracing tolerance and respecting each other, and by simply caring for one another,” Lowery said at the Unity Walk.

The speeches given before the march focused on change and unity.

“It’s time for us to stop building walls based on our differences and become bridge builders based on all that we have in common,” Lowery said.

As the walk began, Mitchell encouraged participants to talk and get to know each other and to begin relationships.

Treveda Redmond, a Clinton Rosette Middle School teacher who attended the Unity Walk, said she planned to talk about the march with her class. Redmond said she was excited to see different people mixing and talking despite the event having a smaller turnout than she expected.

“We may not have quantity, but there is quality,” she said.