ROCKFORD - (WIFR) Marching through the streets of downtown Rockford, nearly 200 people call for unity.

Several community organizations including the NAACP, LULAC, and faith groups gathered for a special memorial and march in memory of Mark Barmore. He's the man Rockford police fatally shot in the Kingdom Authority Church daycare in August 2009. Since then the two officers were found justified by a grand jury in the use of deadly force. But this past June, a report listed about 25 recommendations on how the department can improve.

"There's been a lot of work that's been done. We're not there yet, we still have a ways to go. But we're continuing to meet, we're meeting regularly, various sub-committees have been formed and we're continuing to move forward," Deputy Chief Mike Booker said.

A local pastor said the Barmore incident inspired this call for unity, giving the organizations a networking ability to bring about change.

"There's no question that we've had a lack of unity in our city. Many have told me that this is the most racist city they've lived in. So we're going to seek to do what we can to try and bring understanding between different groups," John Sprecher said.

And while some don't agree with what happened that day, one group member said it's time to move on for peace.

"I just want the community to come together. It doesn't matter, white, black, whatever your nationality is. We can still grow and love," Sherie Scott said.

The march is meant to give some closure and open new doors for hope.

In light of today's event, Deputy Chief Booker said the department has been working with the department of justice mediation team, the city of Rockford, and the interested parties to make sure that regardless of one's opinion, that this event was handled peacefully and safely.