Some Syracuse residents are trying to focus the spotlight on poverty in the city.
More than a dozen members of some Syracuse churches marched through downtown during a busy midday, calling for more action to prevent poverty in the Salt City. Organizer Raymond Blackwell says there are three things that need to happen for Syracuse to lose the distinction of having the highest rate of concentrated poverty among minorities.
"One, is job training and job placement. Two, is fair housing policies, and three, is fully fund the public schools,” said Blackwell.
Demonstrators stopped in front of city hall, and the state office building. Blackwell says they were making a point that these government’s need to do better for the poorest citizens.
“We can’t mislead people by building an immaculate downtown, while Syracuse is still a very poor city.”
Blackwell says regarding education, one thing that would help residents get out of poverty is a bigger focus on job training, like the programs through BOCES.
“The people who need BOCES the most, can’t afford BOCES, can’t get to BOCES. So the government needs to take an active role to make sure the people who need the most help, support and resources, are getting those help, support and resources,” Said Blackwell.
Members of local churches joined the march. The group is trying to coordinate to hold demonstrations about the issue at least once a month.
