Another March, Will This be Any Different?

They marched by the hundreds; down Martin Luther King Avenue on Tuesday.

There were youth advocates, ex-offenders and community activists. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty was there, the only elected official to show, it seems.

There were some young adults and teenagers, none of them wanted to do interviews. A few guys even covered their faces. The number of teenage boys and girls wasn't nearly enough to make a real impression; Maybe because the rally was held at noon on a school day.

They were all calling for an end to the violence and for black men in particular to take back their communities and live up to their responsibilities as fathers.

One could be excused for thinking aloud, "been here before ...all this looks, feels and sounds the same'.

Meanwhile DC police were announcing that 19 year old Clifton Coleman had been arrested for allegedly shooting his 15 year old girlfriend in the face on Monday; Reports say Coleman is telling police he may have info on the slaying of slaying of De'Onte Rawlings last month.

Does that make Coleman a "snitch" or a "good citizen". It's hard to tell as hard working community groups like Peaceaholics and Alliance of Concerned Men are trying to convince people to change their definitions and begin co-operating with Police in these violent cases. Can police keep informants and their families safe? That may be the real issue.

Mayor Fenty told Tuesday's crowd that the city will respond with better schools, recreational programs and jobs.

Tyrone Parker of the Alliance of Men says there are people working hard to make a difference but they need the city to step up with the resources.

Fenty responds that "adults in the community must also step up". They're both right or Tuesday's march was just another waste of every body's time.