Gangsters have been dominating the headlines for weeks now. Hundreds of people, sickened by the recent wave of violence, decided to fight back by coming out to a major rally at Central City Plaza in Surrey on Sunday.

Jolene Lorteau attended the rally with her husband Andy to show support and described her feelings about the last six weeks of shootings.

"It's middle of the day, it's at the mall and it's where I walk my kids," she said.

The organizers said they wanted to give the public a chance to express these feelings.

"It's really an opportunity to stand up be counted say that we're not going to let this happen in our community anymore," said Paul Hillsdon, one of the organizers.

A variety of solutions were proposed by people attending the rally -- from tougher laws regarding gun crimes to legalization of drugs.

Fighting back also means finding solutions. Some feel it's the justice system that needs fixing.

"The judiciary in our province have been serving the interests of these career criminals for too long and it must stop," said Steve Brown, whose brother-in-law Ed Schellenberg was one of two innocent victims shot dead in the Surrey six murders of 2007.

The mother of the other innocent victim, Chris Mohan, called on people to hold their politicians to account on public safety issues.

"Whoever you voted for, you need to go to your member of parliament offices, send them e-mails, and tell them this is not good enough," said Christine Mohan.

"They come here and give us lip service when they go to Ottawa, they forget what we elected them for."

Politicians from all three levels of government also spoke at the rally. B.C.'S solicitor general will head to Ottawa this week to lobby for changes to the criminal code regarding issues like disclosure of evidence and wiretap laws.

"They are critical to these investigations of gun and gang violence," said John van Dongen.

Organizers of the rally say the turnout alone has already sent a message to government -- and the gangsters themselves.

"Seeing everybody here today has really proven how strong we are when we come together, and that we are not afraid of gangs, and that we are not going to let them divide us," said Trevor Loke.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber.