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Blast From The Past
These archives are for all the various front page stories that you've come to expect on the NYRA page. If you miss a current story check back here, it'll be archived. Also for novelties sake scroll down and see what NYRA was up to months and years ago. It's interesting to see how far we've come.
December 9, 2002
NYRA Celebrates Age Discrimination Victories!
NYRA's ongoing campaign against businesses with age discriminatory policies has met with substantial success. So far 15 stores across the country have taken down their anti-youth policies in response to NYRA action. From Michigan to Maryland, from supermarkets to gas stations, NYRA has had considerable success with its campaign. In a letter to members NYRA President Alex Koroknay-Palicz said, "Age Discrimination is a harmful and pervasive problem in our society, and NYRA is committed to fighting it wherever we see it." NYRA continues to fight, and has been in contact with lawyers from the national electronics store the Sharper Image.
November 21, 2002
NYRA-ND To Lower Voting Age
The North Dakota chapter for the National Youth Rights Association has announced its intention to lower the voting age to 16 in the state by 2004. Johnathan McClure, NYRA-ND Treasurer is in charge of the effort to gather 25,688 valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot in 2004. This will be the first attempt to lower a state's voting age below 18 by referendum in American history. The chapter is forming a bipartisan organizing committee, and has begun contacting members of the North Dakota legislature for support. This campaign is an opportunity to make history and attract some nationwide media attention for NYRA and the cause of youth rights. This effort won't be easy or cheap, if you are interested in providing some support please contact Johnathan McClure at: johnathanmcclure@hotmail.com, for details, check out the NYRA-ND page.
Mike Males Speaks at SSDP/MPP Conference
NYRA Board of Advisors member Mike A. Males spoke on behalf of NYRA at the national conference for Students for a Sensible Drug Policy and Marijuana Policy Project. The conference was November 8-10 in Anaheim, California. Males was in a panel discussion on the war on drugs and youth, the opposition didn't show up, just DPA's Marsha Rosenbaum who took a stance of educating youth on the harms of drugs rather than simply prohibiting them.
October 20, 2002
New Officers Elected
The NYRA Board of Directors had its first meeting of the 2002-2003 term and elected new officers of the board. Officers for the new term will be Alex Koroknay-Palicz as President, Kathleen Miller as Vice President, Chris Manley as Treasurer, and Rich Jahn as Secretary. Committee appointments have also been made, and all board committees are getting down to work.
New Chapters Forming Now
New NYRA chapters are sprouting up all across the country. The latest chapter to be approved is NYRA-Michigan, started by Niel Block, chapter president. Chapters for California and New York City are in the final stages of formation; good things can be expected from them both. NYRA-Mizzou, the new chapter for the University of Missiouri-Columbia has already started some buzz on campus check out these two articles on the campus paper: Story 1, Story 2.
NYRA-AU to Challenge Alcohol Policy
The American University chapter for the National Youth Rights Association announced last week its plans to challenge the school's parental notification policy regarding alcohol violations. "AU students are mostly legal adults. The school should stop their "tattle" policy to mommy and daddy if they are caught with a beer on campus." explained the chapter's treasurer, Aaron Biterman. The chapter has gained the support of the Student Advocacy office and several student groups on campus.
September 8, 2002
Slogan Reaffirmed & Bylaws Passed
After a minor outcry following the first vote for the NYRA slogan, a second vote was taken during the 2002 General Election and the results were the same. "The Last Civil Rights Movement" has once again beat out all other options and will remain the official slogan for the National Youth Rights Association. All Bylaw proposals were agreed to with substantial majorities. To see full results of the Slogan Vote click here.
New Board Elected!
Voting has ended, and the results from the 2002 NYRA election are in. It was a competitive election, winning board candidates are: Alex Koroknay-Palicz, Kathleen Miller, Avi Hein, Christopher Coes, Rich Jahn, Brad White, Chris Manley, Jack Ternan, and Darren Alcorn. Coes, Jahn, Koroknay-Palicz and Manley are returning for a second term, the others are new or in the case of Avi Hein returning after a long break. Board member orientation has comenced, and soon the new NYRA Board will get to work. To see full results click here
July 28, 2002
2002 General Election
The NYRA annual elections have begun! NYRA is a fully democratic organization, and now is your chance to exercise your vote. Best thing is, you don't even have to be 18. All members are encouraged to vote by going to NYRA's special election section. This election will have three parts, first is the election of a brand new NYRA Board of Directors, next a selection of a new NYRA Slogan, and finally the membership must approve bylaw changes. The voting period lasts until September 7th, but Vote Today.
July 2, 2002
NYRA Members Oppose Smoking Age Raise
A bill has been introduced in the California legislature that will raise the smoking age to 21, making it the highest in the nation. NYRA member, Denis Hiller, has organized a campaign against this bill and testified before a California Legislative Committee on June 26 in oposition to this bill. Explaining his decision to fight this bill Hiller said,"Being a non-smoking young person, I see at this bill as an attack on our rights." NYRA was the only group in opposition at the hearing. Full story here
NYRA Speaks Out Against Drug Testing
In a 5-4 decision the US Supreme Court deemed random, suspicionless drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities to be constitutional. NYRA has issued a press release expressing frustration over the Court's decision, "In a world of ever increasing penalties, restrictions and 'zero-tolerance' for students, it is frightening to note that even ones own body is not safe from prying government schools." NYRA also joined with SSDP and others in a Washington, DC protest against the ruling and the drug testing industry.
June 17, 2002
New Directors for Board
At a recent NYRA Board of Directors meeting Danya Steele and Christen Walker-James were appointed to fill vacancies left on the board. Both from New York, they are very enthusiastic about their new position and want to get to work. Danya is the Editor-In-Chief of Harlem Live, an online magazine written by teens for teens. Christen is an accomplished musician and is authoring What I Know Is Me, an anthology featuring the writings of young African-American women
May 14, 2002
NYRA On CNN Again!
On Thursday May 9, NYRA President Alex Koroknay-Palicz made his second
appearance on CNN representing NYRA, this time he was on the cable channel
CNN International. Koroknay-Palicz was asked about whether today's youth are
better or worse than their parent's generation. While noting their greater
material well-being Koroknay-Palicz questioned the loss of freedom and
general lack of respect society has for youth today. NYRA's Youth Rights
arguments were seen world-wide.
May 8, 2002
Age Discrimination Campaign Gears Up For Summer
After the tremendous success of last summer, NYRA is seeking to begin its
anti-age discrimination campaign once again. The campaign took a hiatus over
the winter, but NYRA President Alex Koroknay-Palicz is intent on making the
campaign national now. Since NYRA doesn't have representatives all over the
country it needs members and other supporters to do the ground work on this
campaign. If you see a business with a policy that bars access to people
because of their age contact NYRA Right away! Four
stores were defeated last summer in Michigan. So far NYRA-DC and NYRA-TVhave spotted businesses to target in the new campaign, report law breaking
stores here
Need Volunteers
NYRA is expanding the number of staff, and we have a great need for
volunteers. There is always a great amount of work to do, if you have ever
wanted to get involved now is your chance. Please review available positions
at our Internship Section. Whether you have a talent in Writing, Art, Editing, Management, Outreach, Legal Services, or Leadership,
we've got a spot for you. Please review positions here
Need Members for Board of Directors
It is now the midterm for the tenure of 2001-2002 Board Members and we have
had some turn over. Alex Cotoia, Mark Stanford, and Matt Herman have all
resigned or been removed because of inactivity. There are now 3 positions
open on the NYRA Board of Directors. This body is the ultimate authority in
NYRA, it requires a good measure of committment and offers much prestigue.
Please apply here
April 29, 2002
NYRA-MA and NYRA-TV Are Getting Busy!
Two of NYRA's new chapters are really starting to get stuff done. On May 5th NYRA's Madison Wisconsin chapter, NYRA-MA, is holding a big fundraiser bash. The event will feature local bands such as: Rushmore and the 40's, SNAFU, Big Fat Ass, Card Shark Devils, Rubbish, Andrew Huemmer for DJ, and much more! If you are in the area be sure to come by. For more information on the fundraiser, Click Here Things are heating up in the Tennessee Valley as well. Chattanooga students have been staging protests recently in opposition to school budget cuts. NYRA-TV will be at the next protest passing out flyers and registering members for NYRA!
April 14, 2002
NYRA To Recruit at April 20 Peace Rally
The people have been organizing the large anti-Globalization protests are holding a massive peace rally on April 20 in Washington, DC. NYRA recruiters will be out in force to spread the good news of Youth Rights to the tens of thousands of activists expected to attend. This should be an incredible opportunity for outreach, the more recruiters the more we can reach. If you are in the area please volunteer here.
April 10, 2002
Taking Children Seriously Founder To Speak in DC
Sarah Lawrence the founder of the worldwide "Taking Children Seriously" movement will be speaking on April 16th, 8 PM on the campus of American University at a NYRA-AU sponsored event. TCS is a strong philosophical ally of Youth Rights, and all members interested in getting a deeper understanding of the cause are encouraged to attend. For info on TCS click here.
March 28, 2002
Campaign Finance Reform Passes
The Campaign Finance Reform bill has passed both houses of congress and has been signed into law by President Bush. The Anti-Youth section still included in the passed law. "This is a sad defeat for Youth Rights and democracy." said NYRA President, Alex Koroknay-Palicz. NYRA still intends to get the word out about section 319's prohibition on all youth donations. In April Youth Today will be printing an article about NYRA's opposition to the anti-youth campaign finance. NYRA members are encouraged to write letters to the editor about this.
March 27, 2002
Voting Age Lowered to 17 in Cambridge MA!
After months of trying and several attempts by the student group, the Campaign for a Democratic Future, they have succeeded in convincing their City Council to lower the voting age to 17 for city elections. The council voted 8-1 to lower the voting age on Monday. It is up to the state legislature now to approve the measure. This is a huge victory for youth rights! Read article here.
March 19, 2002
NYRA-AU Welcomes Dr. Hanson For Speech
This Thursday March 21 at 8 PM NYRA-AU will be hosting Dr. David Hanson for a speech about Lowering the Drinking Age. The event will be held on campus in the Kay Spiritual Center, all students and members are invited. Dr. Hanson is a NYRA-BOA member and an outspoken advocate for lowering the drinking age. Visit Hanson's Page.
March 18, 2002
NYRA Fights Ban on Youth Contributions
NYRA officials have learned the of the anti-youth nature of the Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Legislation. Section 319 of the legislation makes it illegal for people under 18 to donate any money to candidate or political parties. "Politicians talk about getting young people involved in politics and turn their back on us with legislation such as this." says NYRA President Koroknay-Palicz. NYRA intends to fight this, to find out how to help click here.
DC Members Attend March
Washington, DC NYRA members joined a youth march against violence on Tuesday. Members brought signs bearing slogans such as, "Zero-Tolerance is violence against youth", "Curfews Attack Youth", and "What about Adult Crime?". Literature was passed out to other marchers and our ideas were well received by the other marchers.
February 14, 2002
A Fight For Student Freedom
A student in Cranford, NJ unites a school against it's "zero
tolerance" regulation towards "non-model" behavior off school
grounds. The policy states that "being a leader is a 24 hour
commitment", that all participants of co-curricular
activities fully responsible for any immoral or illegal
behavior outside of school. As student Josh Lasky puts it,
"I could be removed from all my activities if I walk out of the
movie theater to smoke a cigarette and a teacher sees me,
even though I am 18 and I am off of school property".
Students made a big splash at a recent Board of Education
meeting, met with numerous school administrators, the
Superintendent of Schools, and have since been reported on
and quoted in local newspapers. The students of Cranford have
been heard as a committee will meet to revise the current
policy on co-curricular involvement. This committee will include
students, teachers, parents, administrators, and Board of
Education members. NYRA will keep you updated on any progress
or final result in this fight for student rights.
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