People are joining together Friday to mourn and commemorate the lives of the nearly three dozen people who were killed in the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Gilroy, California. 

The commemoration is taking place at city hall in Schenectady, where currently people are joining in prayer. Those prayers will be offered for the victims, their families, and the communities affected by the recent gun violence.

Last weekend, a gunman opened fired in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 22 people and injuring dozens of others. Less than 24 hours later there was another mass shooting, where nine people lost their lives in Dayton, Ohio.

And just a week before those two unfortunate events, the garlic festival in Gilroy, California, turned deadly.

Reverend Philip Grigsby of Schenectady Community Ministries will be leading the Friday night prayer. He says hate has no place in this country, as many still continue to mourn this national tragedy.

Grisby hopes people can begin to heal and show their support for those miles away through the vigil. The reverend says change can begin right at home.