HOBART | Hands displaying the peace sign shot upward and the chant "we march for peace" resounded as people, young and old, came out Wednesday for the Peace Walk in downtown Hobart.

The walk was organized in the wake of the beating of 16-year-old Jamie Rodriguez, who is out of the hospital but now needs physical therapy and psychiatric sessions. Rodriguez was airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., in June after the beating outside a downtown Hobart restaurant.

Brittney McCammon, 15, was charged with attempted murder and felony battery in the beating. She has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 19, and the Lake County prosecutor's office is asking that she be waived to adult court.

Polly Koesters, of Hobart, brought her 2-year-old granddaughter Sydnee Walstra, of DeMotte, to be part of the walk, which was organized by Jayne Spencer and Cherie Davich.

"I don't understand how someone could do that. It's crazy. Who's raising these kids?" Koester asked.

Josh Gobin, 17, of Hobart, and 15-year old Travis Schroeder said they were unhappy to see so few teens at the peace walk.

"I know her," Gobin said of Rodriguez, adding that news of the beating left him shaken. "Hobart didn't use to be like this."

For Schroeder, supporting the pursuit of peace and opposition of bullies is real to him.

"I used to go to Chesterton (schools), and I got beat up every day. I know what it's like to get beat up when you have done nothing," he said.

Spencer, who owns The Grind Coffee House, 325 Main St., said Gobin and Schroeder have been helping with fundraising efforts for Rodriguez.

"We want this all to be positive. Give peace a chance," she said. "There are a lot of parents who don't let their kids come downtown anymore. It's affected the whole community."

Michelle Paskash, who first broached the idea of a peace walk, said she hopes that the pro-peace sentiment will spread in reaction to the violence.

"I've lived my entire life in Hobart," the 21-year old said. "I think this has made people realize that violence surrounds us, even in our hometowns, even in little Hobart."

Linda Marvel, of Merrillville, said she was touched when she learned of the peace walk.

"I have a granddaughter the same age as Jamie," she said, adding that she has arranged for collections for Jamie and her family at Maxim's Restaurant in Merrillville and The Bright Spot in Hobart.

The walk began at the lakefront, and marchers wound their way to The Grind Coffee House. There, they settled in for what Spencer called "peace talks."

Portage School Board member Cheryl Oprisko talked about being bullied as a teen.

"I think high school was the worst years of my life," she said.

She then challenged the crowd of about 50 people to create change.

"Experts say that once kids reach their teen years, parents become less the role models, and the peers step in," she said.

All proceeds from fundraisers Wednesday will go directly to Rodriguez and her family.