Selma had a chance to enjoy a light-hearted family fun environment while battling a serious problem in the community Tuesday.

The crowd grew at Concordia College as more and more community members arrived at Smoking Out the Violence Rally. Hosted by Selma City Councilman Samuel Randolph and Concordia College Social Work Club, the event was meant to prevent violence in the area by providing residents with a platform to tell how violent crimes have affected them.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to come out and voice their opinion about what’s going in the community,” Randolph said. “We are trying to talk about crime now before it gets hot, because, you know, May, June, July and August are some of the highest crime months in Selma.”

During the event, elected officials spoke about ways the community can help prevent violence, the consequences for those who commit them and more.

Among the lists of presenters were Selma Mayor George Evans, Selma Councilman Benny Tucker, Selma Police Chief William Riley, Pastor John Grayson of Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Judge Collins Pettaway and many others.

“Here at Concordia, we know that things may happen outside of these walls in the streets, but they affect everyone on campus and off campus,” Concordia College President Dr. Tilahun Mendedo said. “Our goal is to move forward with education and service anything we can do to help ensure that our community continues to uphold and grow to stop the violence around us.”

Multiple No More campaign signs from the citywide antiviolence campaign were placed on campus. Additional signs of particular crimes, such as stealing and murder, were on display  to indicate some of the crimes that should be eliminated.