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Million Father March marks first day of school

Published  September 7, 2016 1:51pm EDT
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A Philadelphia back-to-school tradition carried on for the ninth straight year and it involved a whole lot of people.

FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce found a steady stream of men marching through West Philadelphia demanding peace during the Million Father March, Wednesday morning.

Fathers, mentors and other men helped provide a safe corridor for children to and from their first day of school, here and in 800 other communities.

They chanted "What do we want? Safe schools. When do we want them? Now!" and talked about the importance of safe schools, supporting and encouraging the youth, and helping create a peaceful and productive community, in and out of class.

City leaders say the Million Father March is making a difference, and the number of persistently dangerous schools has dwindled dramatically over the last several years.