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NYRA Freedom
ISSN 1933-5229
Volume 7, Issue 3
March 12, 2007
Contents:
Introduction
NYRAthon Underway
Membership Levels
DC Club Ban
DC Curfew
Annual Meeting and Election
News from the Web
Conclusion
Introduction
The past month has been an interesting one for NYRA, and it looks like
a lot of great things will happen in March. NYRA’s annual fundraiser
has begun, and we have high hopes that the NYRA membership will
contribute as generously as it has in the past. NYRA is staunchly
opposed to and actively fighting DC’s curfew, and a proposal that will
essentially ban all people under the age of eighteen from DC
nightclubs. NYRA has scheduled its annual meeting, an important event
where youth rights activists get to meet face to face and review
NYRA’s progress over the past year.
NYRAthon Underway
The third annual NYRAthon began on March 2nd, and will continue
through the second of June. NYRAthon consists of two contests. The
first is a contest between individuals, with prizes awarded to the
three who raise the most money. The second is between the various
NYRA chapters, with $100 in NYRA merchandise awarded to the one that
raises the most money. Fundraising is what allows NYRA to lease an
office, hire staff, and ultimately what allows NYRA to function as an
organization that fights for youth rights. It is imperative that
everyone who can participate in the NYRAthon.
The NYRA chapter that raises the most money will receive $100 in NYRA
merchandise (T shirts, buttons, etc.) In the individual contest,
prizes of $100, $50, and $25 will be awarded to the people who raise
the most money.
All money should be sent to NYRA headquarters at:
NYRA
1133 19th St., NW
9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Or donate online: http://www.youthrights.org/donate.php
Membership Levels
In the past, NYRA has only had one level of membership. Member dues
were $10, and had to be renewed every year regardless of how much
money someone had initially donated. Now NYRA members have the option
of buying memberships for one year, two years, three years, four
years, five years, or life. A one year membership costs $10, two
years costs $20, and so on. A lifetime membership costs $150. If
you’re not yet a member and would like to become one, check out
http://www.youthrights.org/membership.php.
DC Club Ban
Washington Councilmember Jim Graham has introduced legislation that
will essentially ban young people from DC nightclubs. While NYRA has
heard that Councilmember Graham may be pursuing a far more palatable
version of the bill, as it stands now the legislation will “prevent
the entrance of persons under the age of 21 into alcoholic beverage
control licensed nightclubs, or into licensed establishments with
entertainment endorsements after 11:00 p.m.”
Councilmember Graham’s legislation was drafted in response to the
death of a 17 year old woman at a nightclub in DC, and NYRA is sure
that he has nothing but good intentions. We do, however, take issue
with the fact that this bill will limit the civil rights of young
people. In addition to NYRA, several nightclub owners and community
organizations are opposed to the bill as it currently stands. NYRA’s
Executive Director has attended meetings with Councilmember Graham,
and we hope that some reasonable compromise can be reached.
DC Curfew
For the past several years, DC has had a youth curfew. Young people
in the District of Columbia can be arrested simply for leaving their
homes. NYRA was recently contacted by Najmah Rashad, who runs Go-Go
club events for young people in DC. She serves no alcohol at the
events, and has never had any serious problems, yet the police will
wait outside and arrest young people for curfew violations. She was
so upset that she organized a media event in which NYRA participated.
The media event was a success, and NYRA hopes to work toward building
a coalition of civil rights groups and community leaders to fight the
DC curfew.
Annual Meeting and Election
Every summer NYRA elects a new board of directors, and holds an annual
meeting. NYRA’s last annual meeting in San Francisco brought together
NYRA members from throughout the country. They heard from some
excellent speakers, heard NYRA’s Executive Director read the annual
report, and had a good time. This year the annual meeting will be
held on July 28th in Washington DC. The board election will begin on
June 28th. Anyone interested in attending the meeting should send an
email to nyra@youthrights.org. Some housing will be available. If
you would like to vote in the board of directors election, or run for
the board of directors, but you are not currently a member, please
visit http://www.youthrights.org/membership.php.
News from the Web
Teens tell about on-the-job dangers
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10305
Study: Violent videogames don't make killers
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10296
‘That’s so gay’ prompts student lawsuit
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10264
Gen Y's ego trip takes a nasty turn
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10263
High school students bored, risk dropping out: survey
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10262
Aunt's Whipping of Boy in Class Investigated
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10254
Gen Y turning into Gen Ego
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10253
Students forced to clean school with toothbrush
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10251
Assembly Gives 14-Year-Olds A Say on Key Medical Care
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10233
U.S. Schools Weigh Extending Their Hours
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10227
Are you deaf? Can't you hear that ringtone?
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10220
Fox to air "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" game show
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10213
Conclusion
It seems that ageism is particularly rampant in the District of
Columbia. NYRA hopes to allay some of that ageism, through fighting
the curfew and any attempt to ban young people from night clubs. NYRA
is also in the midst of its annual fundraiser, which is essential to
its financial well being. All members are encouraged to participate.
NYRA has also scheduled its annual meeting, a great chance to see what
NYRA has been working on and meet other youth rights activists.
------NYRA------
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