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About Us:
The National Youth Rights Association (NYRA) defends the civil and human rights of young people in the United States through educating people about youth rights, working with public officials and empowering young people to work on their own behalf. We believe certain basic rights are intrinsic parts of American citizenship and transcend age or status limits.
NYRA is a national youth-led organization with nearly 10,000 members and chapters in a dozen states. We support lowering the voting age, lowering the drinking age, repealing government curfews, protecting student rights and fighting age discrimination.
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| NYRA News
July 3, 2009
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Southeast Florida NYRA Chapter to Sue Over Curfew
As one of NYRA's most active current chapters, NYRA of Southeast Florida has made quite a splash in the Sunshine State over the past year. But as a sign of bigger and better things to come, the chapter is preparing to file NYRA's first lawsuit; the suit is to be filed next week in federal court against the city of West Palm Beach over its unconstitutional youth curfew.
NYRA-SEFL has negotiated with the city for the past several months in an effort to get the unconstitutional curfew ordinance voluntarily rescinded, meeting with the mayor and arguing before the city commission that the ordinance violates the constitution and is impossible to legally enforce. When these methods were unsuccessful in getting the ordinance repealed, the chapter retained noted Boca Raton civil rights attorney Barry Silver to convince the city of the strength of NYRA-SEFL's legal arguments.
However, the final deadline imposed by the chapter for West Palm Beach to indicate its willingness to rescind its curfew has passed, and NYRA-SEFL and its attorney are preparing to file a lawsuit in federal district court to ensure that the constitutional rights of all youth in West Palm Beach are respected. Chapter president Jeffrey Nadel and vice president Zachary Goodman said in a statement: "We will not sit idly by as this curfew is illegally enforced against the citizens whom the City Commission was elected to serve."
This groundbreaking development, the first ever lawsuit filed in a NYRA chapter's name, will propel NYRA's campaign against discriminatory youth curfews, and our quest to protect all rights of youth, into the spotlight, and the recent overturning of another youth curfew in Rochester, New York by that state's Supreme Court bodes well for the chapter's suit. Stay up to date on the campaign's developments with NYRA-SEFL's video blog.
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NYRA's Annual Election Less Than a Month Away
The annual election, where the NYRA membership votes for a new slate of board members, is almost upon us. NYRA has an impressive slate of well-qualified candidates for the board this year, including a few incumbents, several active chapter leaders, and other figures from regional and national NYRA leadership. The only requirement to run for the board is to be a paid NYRA member. Being a full member of NYRA is also necessary to vote, Paid membership costs just $10 per year; to pay your dues, go here. This promises to be the most competitive election in NYRA history, don't miss out! Voting begins July 1, become a voting member right away.
Also on the ballot this year are two amendments to NYRA's bylaws to require a two-thirds majority vote when the board votes to remove an officer or Director. And an amendment to NYRA's education position paper opposing corporal punishment in schools. Both the bylaw change and the position paper amendment will also be voted on by members this year. All NYRA members and supporters have an opportunity to speak to the board candidates and ask them questions directly in NYRA's election forum, please visit it here.
Voting in the election begins July 1, and will conclude at NYRA's Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. on August 1.
A Working Transition for Student Rights Union
With the passing of the school year and the graduation of outgoing chairman Steve Ross and its other directors, the Zionsville Student Rights Union in Zionsville, Indiana is passing the reins to the next group of dedicated youth. The new chairman, Abby Llorico, took office along with the rest of her team of directors at the end of May, at a gathering hosted by Ross. "I'm extremely proud of all this Board of Directors has accomplished in the past two years, and I'm incredibly excited to see what the new Board will accomplish as the ZSRU moves into a new era of success," said Ross.
During the transition to new leadership, the ZSRU has been making progress in its drug education campaign. At a town hall meeting on April 30, ZSRU leadership, including Ross and Llorico, argued before approximately 130 people for a comprehensive drug abuse prevention program, centered on education and treatment. Ross presented data from a University of Michigan study suggesting that random student drug testing, which had been previously proposed, is generally ineffective.
The ZSRU's message resonated with Zionsville Police Chief Richard Dowden, who suggested the possibility of using federal grant money to expand a program of voluntary drug treatment to any student who needs it. The new board of directors intends to follow up with Dowden about this option.
2009 Annual Meeting Coming Up in August
Once a year, in August, the most awesome people ever - NYRA members and supporters - gather for a weekend of fun and youth rights discussion and strategizing. That time is once again approaching.
NYRA's 11th Annual Meeting will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2, at NYRA's offices in Washington, D.C. As usual, there will be several interesting youth rights presenters and other activities, and we'll hang out at Alex's house afterwards, having fun and trying to not bug his roommates. In addition, voting for this year's NYRA election will wrap up during the Annual Meeting, and the results will be announced; attendees will be the first in the nation to hear the election results! Look for more details about the meeting in July's issue of NYRA Freedom.
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Action Teams
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Quote of the Month
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We have the most prolonged adolescence in the history of mankind. There is no other society that requires so many years to pass before people are grown up ... Adolescence is nurtured and prolonged by educational processes and by industry that has found a bonanza in embracing the adolescent population and fortifying 'adolescent values.' This prolongation of adolescence robs the country of the population group having the most risk takers, and the highest ideals.
- Ralph Nader, Speech at Harvard Law School
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NYRA
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1101 15th Street, NW
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Suite 200
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Washington, DC
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20005
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