Two Surrey youths have decided to tackle the recent spate of gang-related shootings in the Lower Mainland by organizing a rally for this Sunday (February 22).

In a press release today (February 16), Paul Hillsdon and Trevor Loke said they are doing this “as an affront to this violence”.

“No more will we stand by as people die needlessly at the hands of gangs who seek to divide our community,” Loke said in the release. “We will unite in solidarity against injustice.”

Loke is also the B.C. Green Party candidate for Surrey-Newton, according to his blog.

Hillsdon, who was 18 when he ran for Surrey city council last November, said, “It’s time for the entire community to come together, stand up, and say we will no longer tolerate gangs or gang violence. We have a right to safely go to the mall or a park.”

The nonpartisan community rally is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Central City Plaza (13450 102 Avenue) in Surrey, across from the Surrey Central SkyTrain station.