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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, its interesting to see how far we've come.
December 8, 2005
Koroknay-Palicz Attends Drug Policy Conference
Alex Koroknay-Palicz, NYRA’s Executive Director, recently attended a conference in Long Beach, Cali., organized by the Drug Policy Alliance. The conference attracted many leaders  in the drug policy reform movement, including Scarlett Swerdlow, formerly of NYRA's Board of Directors, and former Sen. John Vasconcellos (D-Cali.), who sponsored an important voting age bill in California. Koroknay-Palicz had many opportunities to network with other activists. From the time he boarded the plane until the end of the conference, Koroknay-Palicz was meeting with people who could potentially become staunch allies and even lead NYRA to new sources of funding. Koroknay-Palicz had an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion. The discussion dealt with the drinking age and how parents should talk about drugs with their sons and daughters. The panel was a resounding success, and many of those who participated found themselves in agreement with NYRA's Executive Director. The generous people at Common Sense for Drug Policy agreed to pay Koroknay-Palicz’s way to the conference. Special thanks to Common Sense for Drug Policy and the DPA for organizing the event.
Board of Directors Passes New Chapter Policy
The Board of Directors recently passed a resolution that will add
certain rules to the bylaws governing the creation and operation of NYRA's chapters. The new bylaws will remain in effect until the general election this summer, when they must be approved by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the membership. The policy was written by the bylaws committee, which consists of Alex Koroknay-Palicz, Chris Howell and Scott Davidson, along with Keith Mandell, NYRA’s chapter development coordinator. The Board was overwhelmingly in favor of the new policy. Davidson was the only director who voted against it, despite having a hand in writing it.
The policy for the most part defined what standards a chapter must meet to be recognized by national. It also defines chapters as separate legal entities that do not fall under the incorporation of the national office. The second half of the policy addresses the issue of state chapters. It sets specific requirements for the creation of state chapters, and it places limitations on what they can and cannot do. The complete chapter policy may be found in the forums.
NYRA Gains Technical Support
NYRA members may begin to notice changes on the website and on the forums. In mid-November, James (Jim) Pleger joined the developers at NYRA to enhance the site. With the additional help, NYRA will become more integrated and user-friendly. He is currently studying Computer Information Systems (CIS) at a local college in Phoenix, Ariz. While attending school and working with NYRA, he is also employed at GoDaddy.com. "Youth rights are a huge thing to me, and I think that they are way too important to not have them," Pleger said. "We had many other pieces to our tech puzzle with design people, other tech skilled staff," Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz said, "We just needed that one last person to complete it. I am very pleased to have Jim with us now." Pleger is building a Development Team, to apply e-mail him.
November 17, 2005
Voting Age, Drinking Age, and Curfews, Oh My!
Lots of great chapter updates in California and Vermont. NYRA Berkeley remains one of NYRA’s most active chapters. They will soon meet with member of Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s staff to discuss the possibility of lowering the federal voting age.  The chapter will also hold a public debate with local politicians who do not support the chapter’s efforts to lower the voting age. NYRA Berkeley expects a good turnout from the public, and the media. NYRA Orange County will begin a campaign to find out how state legislators feel about lowering the voting age. Once they have that information, they will use it to lobby for voting age legislation. The chapter has already solicited a promise from Congressional candidate Steve Young to introduce voting age legislation at the federal level, should he be elected. NYRA-OC has had good attendance at recent meetings, and NYRA is confident that they will remain an integral part of the organization.
The South Alameda County chapter, lead by NYRA Research and Education Director Svend La Rose, is mounting a campaign against the youth curfew in Hayward. Svend recently received information from the city of Hayward in regard to the youth curfew, and he has been told he must contact the police department for further information. If you are interested in helping Svend with his campaign, e-mail him. Representative Dick Marron, the sponsor of Vermont’s recent drinking age bill, has announced he will introduce a new bill to allow teens to drink with their parents in private establishments. NYRA Vermont has found a Senate sponsor for both of Marron’s drinking age bills. NYRA had one of its most successful campaigns some months ago when activists from out of state worked in coordination with NYRA-VT to lobby for Marron’s drinking age bill. NYRA-Vermont Treasurer Jeremy Ryan is running for City Council in Burlington.
New Merchandise Store Added
For a long time, NYRA has sold its merchandise through Café Press.  Café Press charged a lot of money, and NYRA saw little of the profit. NYRA has always wanted to create a store on its own web space, that we could run ourselves to raise money and awareness. Alex Koroknay-Palicz, NYRA’s Executive Director, recently set up just such a store. The store features youth rights pins, t-shirts, and wrist bands. NYRA pins, t shirts, and wrist bands all make great gifts. All members are encouraged to check it out and purchase some awesome NYRA merch.
Fundraising Contest Results - More Needed
A few months ago, NYRA Board Member Keith Mandell announced he would award a prize to whoever donated the most money by a certain date. NYRA promoted the contest on the forums and the mailing list, and the deadline was extended.  NYRA’s fundraising contest raised a total of $1,050, falling far short of its $2,000 goal. While the results were somewhat disappointing, NYRA would like to express its sincere gratitude to everyone who participated. NYRA would like to extend an extra special thanks to Jeff Odgis, the winner of the contest. Jeff made a generous $250 donation. Donations are still needed though. NYRA is at a great crossroads. We now have a real office, interns, and a full time executive director. We have become the viable organization we have dreamed of for so long. But if we do not continue to receive donations from our members, this will all vanish. So far, NYRA’s national office has not received any significant grant money. Everything we have comes from people like you. If you can help out, please donate here.
Volunteers Still Needed
NYRA still needs regional captains in the central, midwest and the northeast regions. Regional captains are responsible for chapter development. The job entails about eight to ten hours of work per week, and it may count towards school community service requirements. Anyone who is interested the positions should email Keith Mandell Also, NYRA is still looking for interns for its national office in Takoma Park, MD. If you live in the area and are interested, please e-mail Alex Koroknay-Palicz.
Alex Koroknay-Palicz and Mike Males Interviews
Transcripts of two new interviews have been added to youthrights.org. When he was in California testifying on behalf of a voting age bill, Alex Koroknay-Palicz had an opportunity to conduct an interview with Mike Males. Mike Males, who is a member of NYRA’s Board of Advisors, has written books on the oppression of young people and the sociology behind it. Males’ books debunk myths about young people, and show that they are not as bad as the media might have us believe. The new interview sheds light on the ideas of this brilliant man. A transcript is available here. More recently, NYRA’s Southern Regional Captain, Adam King, interviewed Alex Koroknay-Palicz. Alex is NYRA’s Executive Director and former President. The interview covers Alex’s early years in Michigan, and the beginning of his involvement with youth rights. It is a fascinating read, available here.
October 18, 2005
NYRA Hiring Interns
For many years, NYRA did not have an office. The organization was run almost entirely from the homes and computers of its members. This changed when The Center for Voting and Democracy provided NYRA with an office in Takoma Park, Maryland, a suburb of Washington D.C. NYRA has also begun paying its Executive Director to work on youth rights full time. NYRA is looking to hire both a communications intern, and a youth legal research intern. Both positions are unpaid. The communications intern will help write and send press releases, write and solicit op-eds for youth rights related news stories, and generally help with all of NYRA's activities in regard to the media. The Communications Intern must have strong oral and written communication skills. A journalism or public relations major is helpful but not required. The youth legal research intern will research laws that are pertinent to youth rights, and translate them in to plain English for the Youth Rights Network. If you live in the DC area and you are interested in either position, please email us.
Call for Donations
Some time ago, NYRA board member Keith Mandell announced he would purchase a $50 gift card to whichever NYRA member donated the most money by October 21st. Since then NYRA members have contributed over $600. While we are grateful for this amount of money, NYRA can not continue to operate at this rate. It is not clear when we will start to get significant grant money, and it is really important that everyone give whatever they can. Please email cash or checks to the National Youth Rights Association 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 610 Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 USA.
September 13, 2005
Exciting NYRA Chapter Progress from Coast to Coast
NYRA chapters continue to grow and strengthen. Most notably, NYRA-Paterson, NYRA-Orange County, and NYRA-Berkeley. The NYRA chapter in Paterson, New Jersey has shown a great deal of promise. They have been traveling throughout the city distributing  information about the city's authoritarian youth curfew. Someone donated a full sized van, and the chapter painted the NYRA logo on the side. With a whole van just for NYRA business, this is one of the most significant donations in NYRA history. NYRA's Orange County chapter has been wildly successful so far. The chapter was much of the reason the California Democratic Party's Executive Committee adopted a resolution calling for a lower voting age and more opportunities for youth participation in the democratic process. Convincing the Democratic Party in the largest state in the Union to officially endorse efforts to lower the voting age certainly ranks among NYRA's greatest accomplishments.
NYRA-Berkeley has been lobbying for ACA17, a bill that will allow seventeen year olds to vote in primaries if they will be eighteen by the general election. The chapter has also held meetings with Mark Leno, a law maker from San Francisco. The chapter hopes that Leno will introduce a bill to allow for local choice for the voting age. Such legislation will allow municipalities to lower their voting ages if they wish to do so. NYRA-Berkeley also hopes to continue its work to lower the voting age to 17 for Berkeley school board elections. In addition to these important steps forward, NYRA welcomes its newest chapter, NYRA-Dallas High School, in Wyoming, PA. Two exciting new chapters are on the horizon as well, one in Fairfield County, Ohio and the other in Johnstown, PA. Fairfield hopes to attempt registering youth to vote to protest the voting age, and Johnstown hopes to mount a statewide campaign to lower the drinking age.
UN Report Discusses Youth Rights
The Innocenti Research Centre at UNICEF recently put out a lengthy report that interprets the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and explores  many issues pertaining to youth and children's rights. The report, titled "The Evolving Capacities of the Child," finds that age does not directly correspond with competence and capacity, and cites numerous examples to disprove that association. Much of what Americans take for granted about the lack of competency in youth is culturally biased, and not universally true. The report goes on to state that there are obvious legal implications to all of this, and presents different ideas about age restrictions and the role they should or should not play in a society that respects the rights of young people. The report indicates that age restrictions should not be implemented arbitrarily, and the overall tone suggests a feeling that young people ought to be granted more rights and treated with more dignity. The report also acknowledges the harm that overprotecting youth can cause. The fact a body as prestigious and influential as the United Nations would issue a report like this is of great significance. Members are encouraged to read the report here and distribute it widely.
September 6, 2005
Board of Directors Hold First Meeting, Elects Officers
The new NYRA board of directors held its first meeting on the evening Monday, August 29th. Eight of NYRA’s nine directors were in attendance, and the agenda was packed. The board added Scarlett Swerdlow and Kevin Keenan to the board of advisors. The board appointed members to committees and discussed the possible creation of new committees. They also formally thanked Rich Jahn for his service to the organization. Recognizing the need for a chapter policy, the board referred the matter to a committee. The board also referred the possible addition of “alternate directors” to the bylaws committee.
Perhaps most importantly, the board elected officers. Alex Koroknay-Palicz, who has served as NYRA’s President for five years, decided to step down so he could focus on his role as Executive Director. Robert Reynolds was unanimously elected to serve as President. Pamela Tatz and Jay Leff were both nominated to serve as Vice President. Via secret ballot, by a vote of 5-3, Pamela Tatz was elected Vice President. Katrina Moncure was unanimously elected to the office of Treasurer, and Scott Davidson was reelected to a third term as Secretary.
August 16, 2005
New Volunteer Opportunities Announced
Svend La Rose has resigned as West Regional Captain to serve as NYRA’s Research and Education Director. Kelvin Oliver has subsequently resigned as South Regional Captain to fill the void in the west left by Svend La Rose. Adam King, Kelvin Oliver’s former assistant, has been promoted to Kelvin’s old position. All of these staff are seeking assistance in their various duties. To get information on all open positions, please check out the NYRA Forums. If you are interested in being the Assistant Regional Captain or Public Outreach Officer for the south, please email Adam King. If you are interested in being the Assistant Regional Captain for the west, send an email to Kelvin Oliver. If you are interested in helping Svend La Rose in the department of research and education, please contact him.
August 11, 2005
General Meeting Held, New Board Elected
On Saturday, August 6th, NYRA members from throughout the country gathered at LaGuardia High School in New York City for NYRA’s general meeting. Held annually, NYRA’s general meetings are an opportunity for members to meet in person, hear the annual report, and hear the election results before anyone else. This year eighteen people attended the meeting, many more than NYRA has had in the past. The meeting began with the annual report, which was written and delivered by Alex Koroknay-Palicz. The report offers a detailed account of NYRA activity over the past year, and it will soon be made available online. This years report was far more upbeat and optimistic than reports from years past, indicating a sign of the breakthrough year that we have had.
After the report was read, NYRA members brainstormed strategies for the coming year, especially for recruiting, fundraising, and chapter development. After this discussion, the 2005-2006 board of directors was announced. NYRA’s new board is as follows: Alex Koroknay-Palicz, Keith Mandell, Robert Reynolds, Scott Davidson, Pamela Tatz, Jess Caralize, Jay Leff, Katrina Moncure, and Chris Howell. All of these people have already put considerable time in to the organization, and everyone was pleased with the results. NYRA had fourteen people running for the nine seat board, and many of those present felt that we had more than nine candidates capable of doing a good job. The election was by far the most competitive in NYRA’s history. Outgoing Directors, Scarlett Swerdlow, Jackie Fuller, Kevin Keenan, Arpan Patel and Rich Jahn are all thanked for their service over the last year. Especially Rich who has been on the Board since 2001, and is NYRA's second longest serving Board Member. Rich is taking a year off to focus on school and may return next year.
July 18, 2005
New Photo Gallery, Historical NYRA Timeline Added
One of NYRA’s greatest assets is its extensive web site. NYRA recently added a new photo gallery to YouthRights.org, and a time line of important events in NYRA history to the Youth Rights Network. The gallery, set up by Jason Kende and Alex Koroknay-Palicz, is far easier to organize and update than the old one. The photo gallery is still incomplete, so check back for updates. Also, if you have youth rights pictures on your computer, register to post them in the gallery. The gallery can be viewed here. Some months ago, NYRA began utilizing youthrights.net in order to create a youth rights network, which consists of a youth rights law library and an online encyclopedia of sorts. Anyone can add or edit entries on youthrights.net. Recently Alex Koroknay-Palicz added a time line to this site that catalogues the dates of important events in NYRA’s history. Feel free to check out the timeline and add anything you feel is appropriate.
July 13, 2005
NYRA Election Begins
Every year NYRA members vote to elect a new board of directors. The board of directors is the highest governing body within NYRA. The board elects officers, approves budgets, and directs policy for NYRA.  The candidates for the 2005-2006 NYRA board of directors are Robert Reynolds (incumbent), Keith Mandell (incumbent), Alex Koroknay-Palicz (incumbent), Scott Davidson (incumbent), Katrina Moncure, Rio Bauce, Svend la Rose, Pam Tatz, Chris Howell, Adam King, Jess Caralize, Jeff Odgis, Rory Stolzenberg, and Jay Leff. All of these candidates have at least some experience in the youth rights movement, and no matter what happens the board will have some excellent members. Candidates submitted bio statements and answered questionnaires that will be available to voters. Members also approve or disapprove bylaw changes and new positions adopted by the board over the past year. The ballot includes several bylaw amendments as well as positions on education and behavior modification.
This year the election began on July 6th, and will end on August 6th at the general meeting in New York City. NYRA currently has about 150 members who may vote in this election, which is around twice the number we had this time last year. All members are encouraged to participate in the election. If you have not paid your $10 membership dues, please do so. Members who have not paid their dues are not permitted to vote in the election. Also be sure to check out the NYRA Forums for more information.
NYRA Hires Alex Koroknay-Palicz Full Time
Alex Koroknay-Palicz has been serving as NYRA’s President and Executive Director since the summer of 2000.  Due to the success of NYRA’s recent fund raising contest, the board decided NYRA had enough money to pay Alex full time. Keith Mandell, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, prepared a contract that hires Alex as an independent contractor for a three month period. The Committee approved the contract, and after slight revisions were made, the contract was approved by the full board on June 19th. Everyone in attendance understood the significance of what they had voted on; there have been no paid, full time youth rights activists in the United States since at least the mid 1990’s. This is a historic moment for NYRA. We are now successful enough to pay the head of our staff. NYRA will likely do many more great things now that Alex can devote more of his time to the movement. "NYRA's hiring of Koroknay-Palicz is because for the first time ever, NYRA is able to hire an individual who can devote the necessary time to perform needed NYRA services” noted Keith Mandell, implying that we are only hiring Alex full time because we have an increased capacity to do such things.
Fox News Appearance
After NYRA member Alexis Grant appeared in USA Today to argue against raising the driving age, Alex Koroknay-Palicz was invited to appear on Fox News to discuss teen driving issues. The appearance, which was covered in last month’s issue of NYRA Freedom, was an overwhelming success by all accounts. On the heels of that appearance, Alex was invited back to discuss teenage drivers and cell phones. He pointed out that NYRA is not necessarily against legislation aimed at curbing the use of cell phones while driving, but that we are against laws that target youth specifically. He also brought up the fact that even while using cell phones, teen drivers’ reaction times are about equivalent to those of senior citizens. Alex always presents a persuasive argument, but these last two appearances were especially convincing. It is likely that many tens of thousands of people watched the segment. It is also likely that some percentage of those people visited our website and cameover to our way of thinking. A video of the segment can be viewed at Alex’s blog, One and Four.
Berkeley Voting Age Update
NYRA’s Berkeley Chapter remains an active, vital part of the organization. Most recently they have been lobbying for ACA17, a bill that will allow seventeen year olds to vote in primaries if they will be eighteen by the time of the election. The chapter has been urging local government bodies in the Bay Area to officially recommend the state pass ACA17. So far they have convinced the Berkeley City Council and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to pass such recommendations. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors however, has postponed voting on recommending a bill that will give cities the choice to set their own voting ages. The chapter has meetings scheduled with the Oakland City Council, the El Cerrito City Council, and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. They hope that they will be able to get more official recommendations to the State regarding ACA17. The chapter has also been talking about holding a rally in the area. If you are interested in attending such an event, please email Chris Howell.
June 5, 2005
Voting Age Bill in New York
NYRA has recently attained a considerable degree of success and notoriety surrounding efforts to lower the voting age in Olympia, Washington, and the San Francisco Bay Area.  NYRA has just learned that in addition to these aforementioned efforts, a bill to lower the voting age will soon go before the New York City Council. Originally proposed by the Future Voters of America Party and introduced by Councilwoman Gale Brewer, the bill would allow sixteen and seventeen year olds to vote in local elections. Councilwoman Brewer is very influential, and the bill is expected to get a lot of support from other area politicians.
A press conference will be held Wednesday, June 8th, at 11:30 am on the steps of City Hall. At 1 pm that same day, the bill will be formally introduced. Among those expected to attend the press conference and support the effort is Senator Hillary Clinton. NYRA-President Alex Koroknay-Palicz will travel to New York, and local NYRA activists will also be on hand. All NYRA members are encouraged to attend the press conference and watch as the bill is put before the city council. It is imperative that a lot of friendly faces come and rally around what will be a historic measure. This one of the best and most exciting things that has ever occurred in the youth rights movement. If things go as expected, an unprecedented degree of attention will be paid to the voting age, and youth rights issues in general. All youth rights supporters should thank the great efforts of FVAP in getting the issue raised in New York. Alex Koroknay-Palicz has said that "After three years of building steam, the youth rights movement is now knocking on the door of the nation's largest city. This is a historic opportunity for the movement, only good things will follow."
May 14, 2005
Berkeley To Lower City Voting Age
NYRA-Berkeley is continuing its drive to lower the voting age in the city. NYRA-Berkeley’s proposal to lower the voting age to sixteen was approved by the Berkeley  Youth Commission by an astounding 10-1 margin, with one abstention. NYRA Vice President Robert Reynolds, NYRA-Berkeley Treasurer Rio Bauce, NYRA-Berkeley Vice President Pamela Tatz, and other NYRA-Berkeley members were largely responsible for this victory. The City Council is being urged to support local choice that will allow cities and counties to lower their voting ages if they so choose. The Youth Commission also recommended that an amendment to the city charter to lower the voting age be put on the ballot. Robert Reynolds is optimistic about the May 24th city council meeting, where the possibility of lowering the city’s voting age will be discussed. NYRA-Berkeley reports that three city council members are firmly behind the effort, and that Mayor Tom Bates may support it as well. NYRA-Berkeley will be meeting with other council members to rally support. If it does, Berkeley will have the lowest voting age of any city in the United States, and it will be largely thanks to NYRA. It will generate a lot of media attention, and the issue will be thrust to the forefront of the American political discourse. The chapter has already created a stir in the local press, and if you think you can help generate media attention please email Robert Reynolds.
NYRAthon 2005
There is less than a month until the end of NYRAthon 2005, NYRA’s first biannual fundraiser. The fundraising contest has been an overwhelming success thus far. NYRA estimates the contest has already brought in around $2,000, and it will end until June 1st. The Berkeley chapter held a silent auction that brought in a significant amount of money. NYRA-Vermont sponsored a dinner to raise money for the organization. “I Don’t Know,” a band from Rochester New York, organized a benefit concert that brought in over three hundred dollars. NYRA-DC has begun accepting car donations. NYRA-NYC and NYRA-Olympia have also made sizeable donations. The chapter that raises the most money by June 1st will be awarded a prize. Remember, various prizes will be awarded to individuals according to how much money they raise, so it is important that you send in your donations before June 1st. It is still anyone’s contest. This kind of aggressive fundraising is necessary if NYRA is ever to expand and grow as we hope it will. It is great to see people donating money on such an unprecedented level. To donate go here.
Bill Aimed At Regulating Gulag Schools
The behavior modification industry is a hidden epidemic. The youth rights movement has long recognized the atrocities being committed in these “gulag schools".  Several sources report students routinely being punched, thrown to the ground, or forced to sit in painful positions for several hours. Inadequate food and medical care is also a concern. One former student has said, “…90-95% (of students) would rather have been in jail. At least you can read newspapers or see your family…” This is all standard operation procedure at behavior modification schools, which constitute a $5 billion dollar industry. Representative George Miller of California, the ranking democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, recently proposed HR 1738, The End Institutional Abuse Against Children Act. This bill will provide funding to states to promote licensing, ensure that these programs are monitored, and establish federal penalties for child abuse in residential treatment programs. It will also take measures to protect young people in overseas facilities run by U.S. companies. Representative Miller was inspired to propose this legislation after his appeals to the Justice Department fell on deaf ears. The bill has received support from several other members of Congress. NYRA members are urged to write letters to their Congressmen on this important issue. If this bill passes, it will be a great hindrance to the sadists who run many of these schools, and it will do a great service to America’s youth. Visit NYRA’s web forums for more information.
May 2, 2005
NYRA Election and General Meeting Scheduled
Each year, NYRA members vote for nine candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. The board is NYRA’s highest governing body, and this annual election is of the utmost importance. Anyone is welcome to vote in the election or run for the board, so long as they have paid their membership dues. If you have not paid your dues, it is only ten dollars and you are strongly encouraged to do so. This year the election will begin on July 6th and end on August 6th. Several people have already announced their intention to run for the board. More are expected to announce their candidacy in the coming weeks. Since NYRA has grown so much over the past year and so many new members are taking an active role in the organization, this election will be the most competitive in NYRA’s history. A lot of election discussion is already taking place on the NYRA web forums, which members are always urged to visit. The election will culminate on August 6th, with a general meeting in New York City. Many youth rights activists from New York, Vermont, D.C., and elsewhere are expected to attend. The general meeting is always a fun event. Alex Koroknay-Palicz will read the annual report and announce the election results. This meeting is a great opportunity to meet other NYRA members face to face. Housing may be provided to members traveling great distances. More details will be posted when they become available.
April 14, 2005
Vermont Campaign An Amazing Success So Far
While not over yet, the campaign to lower the drinking age to 18 in Vermont is without a doubt the best organized, most successful campaign in NYRA history. The Vermont Chapter and volunteers from around the country should be  commended for the great work they have done for promoting the rights of youth in Vermont. The campaign made a presence at nearly every college campus in the state and several high schools. This grassroots effort yielded around 2,000 people who pledged their support for the campaign and signed a letter to their legislators. NYRA representatives met with the Governor, the mayor of Burlington, and many state lawmakers. NYRA spoke at several high schools and colleges, and held a successful press conference, debate, and fundraiser. Significant awareness has been generated in the state and nationally about this issue due to NYRA's efforts in Vermont. The New York Times published an article on the subject, and on Friday April 15, Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz will appear on CBS' The Early Show at 7:30 am est. He will debate Wendy Hamilton, the national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. All supporters are encouraged to tune in. For more information check out this month's issue of "NYRA Freedom", or check Koroknay-Palicz's blog for daily updates from the trenches.
Washington State Voting Age Bill
The voting age continues to be NYRA’s number one concern. A strong NYRA chapter is emerging in Olympia, Washington, and they have thrown their support behind voting age legislation. If passed, the bill will lower the state's voting age to sixteen. Coming so soon after the California voting age bill, one can not help but sense an emerging trend. NYRA-Olympia President Jason Puz has been integral in rallying support for this bill. He has been in contact with several of the legislators who are behind it, and has been in touch with members of the media. The bill, co-sponsored by Washington State Representatives Hunt, Williams, Green, and Haigh, went before a committee on Friday, April 8. The State Government Operations & Accountability Committee is comprised of ten members, three of whom co-sponsored the bill. Jason Puz, Heather Kelley and Kehlen Sachet. testified on behalf of the bill, and by all acounts the testimony went well. Listen to the testimony here. After the hearing, they spoke to reporters. Check the news from the web section for an article on the Washington voting age bill. Keith Mandell and Robert Reynolds have also been working on this issue, and every member of the committee received a letter from the NYRA Board of Directors. If it gets enough momentum, this bill will attract a lot of attention. It will invigorate the Olympia chapter and offer hope to millions of disenfranchised young people. If you can help in any way please email Keith Mandell.
NYRA Berkeley Voting Age Progress
It was not long ago that California State Senator John Vasconcellos sponsored a bill to lower the voting age.  While that bill was eventually defeated, it brought the voting age to the attention of millions of Americans, due in no small part to the hard work of NYRA-Berkeley. The chapter continues to strive for a lower voting age, and has brought the issue to the Berkeley City Council. NYRA-Berkeley drafted a proposal to lower the city’s voting age to sixteen. The proposal received the necessary support of Berkeley’s Youth Commission, but due to a technicality, a re-vote is required on Monday. Once approved by the Youth Commission, the proposal will have the support of City Council Members Kriss Worthington, Max Anderson, and Darryl Moore. The chapter also hopes to gain the support of Mayor Tom Bates. Berkeley is a very progressive city, and this proposal certainly has a shot. If it goes through, Berkeley will be the first town in America to have a voting age lower than seventeen. This seems very fitting, as Berkeley has become a Mecca of youth rights activism over the past year. The chapter continues its efforts to lower the voting age on the state level. Over eight hundred and fifty letters were sent to Senator Perata, and the chapter plans to send a comparable number of letters to Representative Loni Hancock. If you can help NYRA-Berkeley lower the voting age, please email Robert Reynolds.
Student’s Rights Victories
NYRA member Chris Batchelor, better known to some as “Galen,” has won two decisive victories for Student’s Rights. Chris has a friend who had to do a report on the USA Patriot Act for school. When the student was told he could not use a picture of a man burning the American flag, he contacted Chris, knowing about his involvement in youth rights. Chris wrote a letter to the school’s principal, informing him that the student was well with in his rights. Chris pointed out that to censor this young man’s report in such a way was a flagrant violation of Tinker v. Des Moines, the Supreme Court ruling that constitutional rights can not be denied in public schools. While initially upset, the principal eventually agreed to let the student use the picture, and even sat in on the class to assure that the teacher did not try to stop him. In another incident, a student was given detention for circulating a petition calling for action to be taken against one of her teachers. This young woman’s punishment was clearly not in accordance with Tinker v. Des Moines. Chris wrote another letter, and the administration was forced to issue a formal apology to the aforementioned student. For his efforts, Chris Batchelor has been appointed Student Defense Coordinator. If you are subject to unfair, authoritarian treatment at your school, please send Chris an email.
March 28, 2005
Vermont Drinking Age Campaign Begins
After a month of planning, NYRA's most involved campaign in its history begins. Half-a-dozen activists will come to Vermont to join the active Vermont Chapter in lowering the drinking age to 18 in the state. .jpg) This is a proud and important moment for the youth rights movement. For the next two weeks NYRA activists will be crisscrossing the state of Vermont spreading information to everyone we can find about lowering the drinking age. This well organized campaign hopes to create a strong grassroots movement in Vermont that will outlast this two week campaign. A press conference, debate, fundraisers, and a youth lobby day are currently scheduled for the next two weeks among other events. Since this is a very important campaign, daily updates will be provided on President Alex Koroknay-Palicz's youth rights blog. All interested members are strongly encouraged to check in daily, and also to spread the updates to everyone you know, on every message board and every mailing list you know of. The Vermont campaign will be successful if it can create a national dialogue over the issue of lowering the drinking age, and force people to confront their bias towards youth in a real way. This is possible when everyone works to spread the news of this campaign. If you would like to donate money to support the campaign, please go here.
March 16, 2005
NYRA-Vermont Drinking Age Campaign
NYRA is gearing up for one of the most involved, and committed campaigns of its short life, a campaign to lower the drinking age in Vermont. NYRA Vermont, one of NYRA's newest and most active chapters, is heavily involved with a growing movement to lower Vermont's drinking age to eighteen.  A bill to lower the drinking age has been sponsored by Vermont Rep. Richard Marron, and has a considerable amount of bipartisan support. Supporters of H-139 cite the many eighteen year olds in the Armed Services and the rise in binge drinking that has resulted from the minimum legal drinking age as reasons to support lowering it. While many law makers think lowering the drinking age is a good idea, some are reluctant to support the bill for fear of losing federal highway funds. Since Vermont Governor James Douglas is in favor of lowering the drinking age, this bill represents the best chance at a lower drinking age that we have seen in quite a while. Even if it does not pass, the bill will create a national dialogue and force people to reassess their attitudes about young people. NYRA-Vermont plans to visit every college in the state, to distribute literature, recruit members, and rally support for H-139. Many youth rights activists from out of state will be visiting Vermont, and NYRA President Alex Koroknay-Palicz is already scheduled to speak at two area high schools. From March 28th till April 10th, over half a dozen NYRA members will be in Vermont working on this full time. NYRA feels that their efforts could be enough to push the bill through. More activists are needed to travel to Vermont to make this happen. If you are available sometime between March 28th and April 10th, or would like to donate money to support the campaign, please contact the Vermont chapter:
Fundraising Contest Underway
In an effort to raise money and encourage grass-roots activism, the National Youth Rights Association is sponsoring its first ever fundraising contest. The contest will run from now until June 1st. The individual who raises the most money in that time will receive a prize worth $100, and two runners up will be awarded $50 and $25 respectively. More information about these prizes will come later.In addition, every NYRA member who raises over $10 will receive a NYRA button of their choosing, and every NYRA member who raises over $50 may pick out a NYRA t-shirt. If you raise $300, you will receive a signed copy of "Somebodies and Nobodies", the book that inspired Senator John Vasconcellos to introduce the bill to lower the voting age. Individuals who raise over $500 will receive a signed copy of the Mike Males classic "Framing Youth." There is also a competition between the various NYRA chapters. If you are affiliated with a chapter, the money you raise will count toward both your own total and the total of the chapter with which you are affiliated. The winning chapter will be awarded an ample amount of flyers, T shirts, and buttons, up to a $100 value. Send all cash and checks to NYRA - P.O. Box 5882 N.W. - Washington, D.C. - 20016. Be sure to include your name, address, e-mail, and the chapter you are affiliated with. Donations are also encouraged to be made via credit card online
March 2, 2005
The West Wing Addresses Lowering Voting Age
NBC's highly popular and Emmy winning weekly political drama, The West Wing covered in depth the issue of lowering the voting age in tonight's episode.  A class of middle school students were touring the White House and get engaged in a discussion with a high level advisor to the President about lowering the voting age. The students make a very articulate and credible argument in favor of lowering the voting age and in the end win over the staffer. The staffer gets one of the students into the President's press conference, and he asks the President about lowering the voting age. The President, played by Martin Sheen, responds with "Allowing children to vote is...worthy of consideration." It is a fantastic victory for youth rights to even have this issue mentioned on such a popular show as The West Wing, but the victory is more outstanding considering the very good job the show did in advocating for lowering the voting age, and in the end, the approval of the President and a high ranking White House staffer. Not only were these arguments made, but these arguments came directly from NYRA. Many lines in the show were directly quoted from NYRA's Top Ten Reasons to Lower the Voting Age document. Put in the mouths of the students, many of NYRA's best arguments were articulated beautifully on the TV show, and millions of people listened to them and for the first time, considered them. A transcription of much of the show has been made and can be read in the NYRA Forums.
Supreme Court Declares Juvenile Death Penalty Unconstitutional
In a 5-4 decision handed down yesterday, the US Supreme Court ended the death penalty for people under 18.  NYRA members are encouraged to read the full decision of this case, Roper vs. Simmons. While good for ending the sick hypocrisy involved in applying the heftiest adult penalty on minors with few adult rights, this case has set precedent with long term negative consequences for youth rights. The majority opinion was written by Justice Kennedy, in it he makes three chief points that seek to under cut the rationality and competency of youth. Justice Kennedy states that, "First, as any parent knows and as the scientific and sociological studies respondent and his amici cite tend to confirm, '[a] lack of maturity and an underdeveloped sense of responsibility are found in youth more often than in adults and are more understandable among the young. These qualities often result in impetuous and ill-considered actions and decisions.'" He then goes on to assert "juveniles are more vulnerable or susceptible to negative influences and outside pressures, including peer pressure." and thirdly maintains the personality and character of youth is not yet fully developed. It is likely these assertions will come up again in future cases deciding the rights of youth, and thus NYRA looks at this case warily. A longer youth rights perspective can be read here. However one weighs the costs vs. benefits of this case, it is an important case in youth rights history.
February 24, 2005
NYRA-Berkeley Revives Voting Age Struggle
NYRA Berkeley made history when it helped launch a campaign to lower the voting age in California. The chapter's efforts coincided with a bill proposed by State Senator John Vasconcellos to lower the state's voting age to 16. While the bill was eventually abandoned, many of its key supporters are still members of the California Legislature. NYRA-Vice President Robert Reynolds has been hard at work, trying to convince local politicians to reintroduce SCA 19, the voting age bill. NYRA-Berkeley members have been sending letters to California Senate Majority Leader Don Perata, urging him to support and revive this important legislation. Estimates for the number of letters sent so far range between five and seven hundred. Much of the credit goes to NYRA member Rio Bauce, who collected a copious amount of signatures, and secured an important media contact for NYRA. For more information on how you can contact members of the California State Senate, and for a copy of a form letter you can sign, please email Robert Reynolds.
Vermont Chapter Off To A Good Start
In a remarkably short period of time, NYRA Vermont has established itself as being among NYRA's most professional and well organized chapters. The chapter held its first meeting on January 9th at the Fletcher Free Library. This well attended meeting resulted in the passage of bylaws and the election of officers. Ken Boring was elected President, Jay Leff Vice President, Hardy Machia Secretary, Kevin Ryan Treasurer, and Aaron Voldman will serve as High School Outreach Coordinator. Many of you may know Ken from his frequent contributions to NYRA's web forums and Hardy from his bid for Vermont Governor. Due to the hard work of the chapter's officers, and NYRA Media Director Chanc Amis, the chapter has already received some significant attention in the media. An article by Ken Picard in Seven Days outlines the chapter's ideas and ambitions. NYRA-Vermont officials Jay Leff and Hardy Machia appeared on channel 17 public access to discuss youth rights. By all accounts the appearance went well, their next meeting was plugged and they responded professionally to all the questions. Their web page is frequently updated and saturated with useful, interesting information regarding the chapter and its activities. All NYRA members, especially those living in Vermont are encouraged to check it out.
January 1, 2005
NYRA on Fox News Again
On December 31st, former NYRA media director Brad White appeared on Fox 
News to discuss the drinking age. The appearance, which came out of
nowhere and was arranged at the last minute, was wildly successful.
The show, "Your World with Cavuto" is very popular, and Fox is the most watched
cable news network. Brad's appearance may have been seen by over a
million people, and is perhaps the most significant NYRA has ever had. Guest host Stewart Varney asked Brad some tough questions, and
misleading facts were presented on the screen. Brad however, held his
ground and delivered a good argument. He emphasized the fact that the
minimum legal drinking age has simply shifted the problem to another
demographic, and has not dealt with it. He also emphasized the need
for responsible drinking earlier in life, so people do not behave
irresponsibly when they turn twenty one. On the heels of Alex Koroknay-Palicz's appearances on PBS and Fox News,
this is especially significant. With this exposure, and a more focused
media effort, it will be easier for NYRA to affect change.
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