Thousands of people have marched down the Melbourne street where slain woman Jill Meagher was last seen alive.
The crowd was joined both in grief at her shocking death and to protest against violence throughout the community.
Families with young children, couples and groups of friends — most of whom never knew the 29-year-old, but shared in the horror of her alleged abduction and murder last weekend, formed a crowd stretching well over a kilometre that marched along Brunswick's Sydney Road from noon (local time) on Sunday.
Many carried flowers, photos of the late Meagher and placards with slogans urging peace and harmony as they walked from Moreland Road to Brunswick Road.
Local resident Philip Werner, who organised the event, led the march holding a banner that read: ''Choosing peace, hope, non-violence and solidarity with all women''.
Werner said he felt compelled to unite the Melbourne community in the wake of the ABC staffer's death after she disappeared on a short walk home from the popular Brunswick Street nightlife precinct.
''When I saw the news that Jill's body had been found (on Friday) ... it really struck me, and I just wanted to get together with people in a show of solidarity and peaceful, quiet defiance to say we're not going to cower in fear, and we're not going to give up hope for society,'' he told AAP.
Werner said he felt humbled and floored by the massive turnout, which saw police close Sydney Road to traffic for several blocks.
''I thought there might be 10 people here... what's great is everyone's here of their own accord,'' he said.
- AAP
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