New Yorkers took to the streets Friday night in response to the recent rash of gun violence across the city and the country.

Rev. Al Sharpton helped the National Action Network kick off a citywide "Occupy the Corners" initiative Friday night.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights for four consecutive weeks, community activists, elected officials and church leaders will stand on corners in so-called "hot spot" areas to watch for signs of violence.

Sharpton said after Occupy the Corners ends, activists will push further into key communities.

"We all should be on the same page when it comes to stopping gun violence," Sharpton said. "When we can bury 4-year-old babies in the city, it's time for us to put whatever else we disagree with aside and stand together to stop the violence."

"This is a time in the city when we have to recognize that if we don't have a conversation, if we don't organize block-by-block, we're going to lose this war and our kids are not going to be safe in the city," said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.

For more information on the initiative, go to nationalactionnetwork.net.