Hundreds of youth rally to demand increased funding for youth jobs programs

Associated Press and Channel 7 TV News
BOSTON -- Hundreds of young people converged on Beacon Hill Thursday to demand that funds for youth jobs programs in Massachusetts be kept intact despite the state's budget problems.

Members of the Youth Jobs Coalition called on the Massachusetts Legislature to include money for summer jobs programs in a supplemental budget for the fiscal year ending July 1, and to support Gov. Deval Patrick's request for $8.4 million for the next fiscal year.
Patrick told a large gathering of youth inside the Statehouse that he backed their efforts with state government, while also urging them to pressure the business community to provide employment opportunities. He told them they should visit chambers of commerce and other private sector groups to lobby for jobs.

"Turn and find an adult who can tell you where the business organizations are ... because we are all in this together," Patrick said.

See attached for compilation of news coverage of the youth jobs rally.