'We Have Power To Prevent Violence,' Says U.S. Attorney To Teens

DETROIT (WWJ) - Young people in Detroit weighed in on how to prevent violence among their peers in the city. Nearly 100 teenagers took part Tuesday in a Leadership and Safety Summit hosted in partnership with U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade's office.

She says their main message centers around understanding choices and power.

"We all have power, we have power to prevent violence," said McQuade."We just had this wonderful debate where these young people took opposing view points on whether violence is preventable, and they talked about great ideas and how their own daily lives they can take steps to prevent violence."

She says it's important to listen to young people.

"But I hope also that kids have understood their own power to transform their lives - that they have choices and looking for positive paths are really important."

"I know the right things, you know what I'm saying, I'm the type of person, where if I know it's not right, I'm not going to do it because ... it's going to be on my conscious," said Keyana Pearl.

Keyana says it's important to lead by example.