On her fifth Walk for Peace yesterday, Iris Weaver of Roxbury had a new motivation to march: Just a week ago, her stepson, Paul D. Fagan, was gunned down on Stafford Street in Roxbury. His death on May 2 came almost six years after her son, Cassim, was shot to death in the same neighborhood.

While frustrated with continued violence in the city, she said she bears no ill will toward their killers.

“I’m not wishing anything bad on the people who did it — I’m praying for them, like people pray for me,’’ Weaver said.

Before the walkers set off at 8 a.m., several people spoke about curbing violence, including Chery, several volunteers from the Brown Institute, and Mayor Thomas M.Menino.

The large turnout on a chilly windy morning showed a commitment on the part of many in the community to stand up against violence, Menino said in an interview before the march.

“It sends a message … people are here instead of at home drinking their coffee,’’ he said.

After the speeches, walkers marched 3.6 miles on Dorchester Avenue to Codman Square and back to Town Field Park, holding signs and chanting “What do we want? Peace!When do we want it? Now!’’

Marching with fellow members of Breath of Life Dorchester teens, Geralda Sylvan, 17, of Dorchester said she walked because she “lost too many people to violence.’’

One was her brother, Terrance Jacobs, who died at the age of 16 in 2007.

Sylvan remembered past Mother’s Days when the family would cook breakfast and give their mother cards and gifts.

“He was good at the cooking part, but the cards … no,’’ she chuckled.

Passing drivers honked horns in support of the walk, which incited louder chants for peace. “Five, 6, 7, 8, spread the love, stop the hate!’’ marchers shouted.

After the march, participants gathered in Town Field Park for a raffle and a performance by local hip-hop dance troupe Slap Bracelet.