Media & Resources

Historic 10-10-10 March and Rally for Children and Youth

Thousands of Minnesotans Set to March on State Capitol To Put 10 Key Issues on the Election Agenda

ST. PAUL, MINN—Garrison Keillor, author and host of A Prairie Home Companion, and Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) President Marian Wright Edelman will join thousands of child advocates, community leaders, families and elected officials at the Minnesota Capitol on October 10, 2010. Youth Advocate Leaders of CDF–Minnesota, along with dozens of community partner organizations, seek to strengthen Minnesota’s commitment to our children and youth, and hold our political leaders accountable for decisions that affect their lives. In addition, these organizers have established a platform of priorities for children to focus future policy decisions.

Jim Koppel, director of the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota, believes that this will be a historic first step to change the future for thousands of Minnesota children and youth. “We have been able to join with dozens of statewide organizations to address 10 pivotal issues in our children and youth’s lives because the youth are leading all of us,” Koppel said. “They have been able to bring all of our efforts and focus together to start a movement for children and youth.”

The vision of the 10-10-10 March and Rally for Children and Youth began as the brainstorm of Darrell Young, a Youth Advocate Leader from the north side of Minneapolis. He and a group of passionate young people from around the country have dedicated themselves to increasing the awareness of the needs of children and youth and to make a positive difference for every child and youth.

At the youth-led, non-partisan rally there will be music and spoken word by local youth, greetings from local elected officials and faith leaders. There will be 10 children who will each ask a question to the gubernatorial candidates who will be given time to respond. There will be a voter- registration tent and an opportunity for participants to make a commitment to vote for children and join the movement to make life better for all children and youth.

Speakers and guests to include:

• Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of Children’s Defense Fund
• Garrison Keillor, Minnesota author and A Prairie Home Companion radio host
• St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minnesota Senator Al Franken
• Faith leaders, youth performers and children
• Gubernatorial candidates Mark Dayton and Tom Horner. Tom Emmer declined.

Planners worked into the march and rally a strong element of sustainability and long-term commitment to create a better support system for all Minnesota children and youth. Out of the 10-10-10 march will come a committed force of advocates. Our Young Advocate Leadership Training (YALT®) members will follow up through speaking engagements in congregations, at town hall meetings and other community gatherings, as well as through electronic networking. They will mobilize and be active during the 2011 state legislative session to pass legislation supportive of the focus issues.

WHAT:   10-10-10 March and Rally for Children and Youth
WHEN:   October 10, 2010, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
WHERE:   Minnesota State Capitol
WHO:   The Young Advocate Leaders of CDF–Minnesota, Every Child Matters, Minnesota Children’s Platform and other partnering organizations serving children and families as listed above.

For more information visit www.cdf-mn.org.

There will be a press area at the Capitol during the event. CDF will arrange and interviews upon request.

ST. PAUL, MINN– Garrison Keillor, author and host of A Prairie Home Companion, and Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) President Marian Wright Edelman will join thousands of child advocates, community leaders, families and elected officials at the Minnesota Capitol on October 10, 2010. Youth Advocate Leaders of CDF–Minnesota, along with dozens of community partner organizations, seek to strengthen Minnesota’s commitment to our children and youth, and hold our political leaders accountable for decisions that affect their lives.