Obama addresses Chicago violence in message to students

August 14, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- President Barack Obama videotaped a message addressing the surge in violence in Chicago that will be viewed by students across Chicago.

"All of us who care about our kids and their future have the responsibility to step up to foster strong and safe communities, to be good role models," Obama said.

The message was supposed to air during ABC7's coverage of the Bud Billiken Parade last Saturday, but the producer of the parade provided a copy of the message too late for the broadcast.

The President urged everyone to work harder to fight the epidemic of violence.

"We have to instill an impulse in our young men and women to choose to resolve disputes in a way other than violence," he said. "We have to provide a stronger role model than the gangbanger on the corner. All of us have to make safer streets our cause so that the most challenging part of a kid's day is that algebra test or physics exam and not the walk home from school."

The Chicago Defender Charities plans to show the message to students across the city hoping it will inspire them.

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