Chicago Beating

Officials Take Action to End Youth Violence

Two of President Obama’s top Cabinet members traveled to Chicago today to pledge their support in a campaign against youth violence.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Education Secretary Arne Duncan

Education Secretary Arne Duncan

were sent to Chicago by President Obama following the nationally broadcast cellphone video depicting the senseless and brutal beating and killing of a 16-year-old boy near his high school.

“There’s a lot of frustration and there’s a lot of pain right now — there should be,” Holder said.  “The status quo is not acceptable.”

The two officials said the administration is taking a new approach to youth violence that go beyond the current standards of punishment and policing.

Police officials said more than 40 children younger than 18 have been murdered in Chicago this year.

16-year-old Chicago teen Derrion Albert was brutally beaten and killed near his high school

The Justice Department is pledging $16 million to help increase school security around the country, with a half million of that going to Chicago alone.

But Duncan said that it’s really up to parents and adults to take responsibility for the children.

“Money alone will never solve this problem.  I’s much deeper than that.  It’s about values, it’s about who we are as a society, it’s about taking responsibility for our young people.”

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