AKRON, Ohio — There was an eerie silence across the street from Akron's Justice Center on Tuesday evening, except that of prayer.
"I just pray for boldness, for every Christian out there," said one prayer warrior. "That we remember that God does see us, and he is not letting any of this fly under the radar right now."
The prayers in Akron came a day after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that a grand jury decided that no state criminal charges will be filed against the eight officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker.
Those who are praying are calling for peace in Akron, not hate. John Mathis knows the decision not to charge the officers in Walker's shooting death is hard. Still, he calls for unity.
"Emotions are high," he admitted, "but our goal is to keep God at the forefront."
"I just want everybody to come together," one protester said. "I want everybody to stand up as a city and get justice for Jayland Walker."
Akron City Councilmembers Tara Mosley and Shammas Malik (both candidates for mayor) were also at the event on Tuesday evening, and had a message for anyone who wants to destroy what Akron has built.
"This whole community, we can get through this," Malik told 3News. "We can pull together."
"We don't like the outcome of yesterday, and we will continue to fight for those who are voiceless because this is what we are here to do," Mosley said. "But make no mistakes: This is our home and this is our city, and we will protect it."
A city built by bricks, hard work, and unity. For Mathis, only prayer brings the healing Akron needs today and in the trying days ahead.
"You're always going to have a few that maybe change the outlook on the many," he said, "but we have faith that the good will prevail."