CLEAR LAKE, Ia. — Democrats competing for the 2020 presidential nomination stood in solidarity against gun violence here Friday, holding hands and observing a moment of silence following mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas, over the weekend.

The gathering was organized by Beto O’Rourke’s Iowa campaign ahead of the Democratic Wing Ding dinner, which drew 21 candidates. The former Texas congressman was set to appear at the dinner but canceled his travel plans after the shooting in his hometown of El Paso.

In a video message that was shown during the event, Beto said he'd decided to stay in El Paso to be with his community.

“I’m also here to make sure that, at this moment, we do not allow ourselves to be defined by this act of terror, this act of hatred, this act of violence, but instead by the way in which this community overcomes this attack.”

The candidates who participated included former U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, spiritual leader Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Representatives and volunteers from many of the other campaigns also participated.

“This is a chance for us — even as campaigns are competing with one another — to take a second and acknowledge that we're all going the same direction, we're all fighting for the same thing and we're going to win in this fight,” O’Rourke’s Iowa communications director, Geoff Burgan, said to those gathered.

Iowa Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, led the effort. He said it’s possible to become overwhelmed by all the shootings and deaths that have occurred in just the recent past.

“But it’s not bleak,” he said. “And you know why it’s not? Because you’re here. You’re standing here. You’re willing to stand for what matters. And this is the only way that we will win.”

After the moment of silence, Abdul-Samad directed those in attendance to hug someone from a different campaign and to tell them, “I love you, and we can win.”