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Youth march rallies support for new city fund

Posted at 11:15 PM, Nov 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-21 23:15:09-05

Led by the Frederick Douglass High School Marching Band, dozens of children and teenagers retraced the steps of the Baltimore Uprising. For one mile, they marched in support of something different.

"A lot of things seem to be reactionary. Things seem to be happening to them in their own communities and it's about time that we listen to them as well," said Christopher Mfume of Baltimore.

The students and their families were rallying in support of City Council's 'Children and Youth Fund,' which would grant up to $12 million dollars to non-profits serving the city's young people.

At Frederick Douglass High, council's Children and Youth committee unanimously approved a plan that would allow community members and students decide (as a group) which programs would see those dollars.

"It was youth that pushed the bill through. What's powerful about the Youth fund is that not only is it $12 million to go to youth programs, but young people will actually have a voice in how the funs are distributed," said Councilman Zeke Cohen.

If approved by the full City Council, hearings to begin choosing residents responsible for awarding the money could begin as soon as February.