Austin students rally against violence

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Students in a crime-ridden southeast Austin neighborhood rallied for peace Friday with a concert and motivational speakers.

"Stop the Violence, Start the Peace" was the theme of the back-to-school concert Friday.The students and guests gathered at the River City Youth Foundation at 5209 S. Pleasant Valley.

The foundation,w hich just celebrated its 25th anniversary, targets the Dove Springs community. According to foundation statistics, one in five people in Dove Springs lives in poverty. The Dove Springs zip code, 78744, is the second-fastest growing neighborhood in Austin. It also has the highest percentage of Hispanics in the city; the second-highest number of adults with only a ninth-grade education; and the third-highest number of adults without a diploma.

On Friday afternoon, youngsters listened to several bands, and to motivational speakers who brought a message of staying in school, going to college and working for good. Among the speakers were City Manager Marc Ott, and motivational role models from the Dove Springs Community and the University of Texas.

The evening closed with more music, an art contest and raffle prizes of school supplies and electronics.