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 14, 2006NYRA Receives Large Grant
After much work applying for grants this year by NYRA's Executive Director, Alex Koroknay-Palicz, one foundation, the Susan A. and Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation has awarded NYRA a grant. The foundation invited NYRA to submit a full proposal and said that we should hear back in a few months. On December 8, NYRA heard back, receiving its first significant grant. This one grant nearly equals our entire budget for the 05-06 term, and is eight times more money than we have ever received at one time. The money will go toward a number of things, but building the organizational infrastructure necessary to challenge the voting age in a serious and effective way will be a priority. Much of the grant will go towards renting office space in the prestigious area near K street in downtown Washington, DC. The space is made available to NYRA thanks to Common Cause and Mobilizing America's Youth who NYRA will be sharing space with. This is arguably the best thing that has ever happened to NYRA. If the membership follows through and continues to donate time and money, this could go down as a watershed moment in the movement's history.
Make a Year End Tax-Deductible Donation
The National Youth Rights Association is an IRS-designated 501(c)3 non-profit organization, committed to defending the civil and human rights of young people in the United States. The current tax season will end on Sunday, December 31, 2006. In order for an item to be claimed on this year's tax return, you must make your tax-deductible donations by that time. This is important. You have to make the donation before the end of the year; if not, you cannot deduct it from your taxes in April. Whether you decide to make a small donation or a large donation, please do it now! All donations to NYRA are tax-deductible. This is an important time for youth rights. NYRA has a new, professional office in the heart of Washington, DC's business district, just a block from the famous K street. NYRA is prepared for a break out year in 2007 and needs your support to make it possible. We have set a goal of raising $1,000 in donations by the end of the month. Donate now to make it happen.
HOSA Lowers Arbitrary Grade Level Requirement
Before November 2006, only rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen could run for a state officer position with North Carolina HOSA. In October, NYRA Vice President Adam King provided compelling reasons for why rising juniors should be allowed to run for office. (The election is in March, and the term doesn't start until May. Therefore, a rising junior would only be a sophomore for one month before he becomes a junior. Also, there may be many qualified rising juniors who would make great officers, but they would still not be allowed to run.) King received word a few days ago that the board of directors has agreed with his concerns that rising juniors should be able to run for office. That is great news!
NYRA-OC Lobbies for Youth Rights
NYRA’s Orange County chapter recently attended a meeting of the California Democratic Party’s resolutions committee. NYRA-OC members introduced two resolutions at the meeting – one recognizing the human rights of all people regardless of age, and another calling for an end to compulsory school attendance laws. The committee rejected the resolution regarding compulsory attendance, and even went so far as to vote in opposition to it. NYRA-OC attributes much of this opposition to the California Teachers Association. The other human rights resolution received unanimous support from the Senior Caucus. When it was brought up for a vote it was referred back to the author, but NYRA-OC thinks it could be passed and prioritized in the future.
December 4, 2006Annual Report Available
Delayed while finishing touches were being added to the report since the Annual Meeting in San Francisco back in August, the Report is finally finished and ready for public viewing. As part of NYRA's unique commitment to honest, transparent non-profit governance we don't pull punches with the information we release to you, our members. With Annual Reports available stretching back to 2001, this is the most complete source of information regarding what this organization does each year. This report includes: A full year-end review of all NYRA activity, both our successes and failures, over the last year, an analysis of web traffic to our acclaimed website, YouthRights.org, full year end balance sheet, news releases released through the year, and a membership statistics report. The full report can be accessed here. As always, if you support this organization and the work we do, please demonstrate your support with a tax-deductible contribution.
NYRA to be Featured on BBC Radio The British Broadcasting Corporation's World Service is producing a series on growing up in different parts of the world that will air in December. When it was time to visit America, BBC stopped in Washington, D.C., and spoke at length with NYRA’'s Executive Director, Alex Koroknay-Palicz. The following afternoon, several young people associated with NYRA participated in a discussion on what it is like to be young in America. The discussion went very well, and several youth rights issues were favorably covered. NYRA President Scott Davidson was also interviewed for the project.
NYRA Executive Director Speaks at Conference
On Oct. 16, NYRA’s Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz, along with NYRA member and Afghanistan veteran Robert Bertoniere, attended the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators in New Orleans. Koroknay-Palicz spoke about the need for a lower drinking age, and his argument convinced many people. He argued that raising the drinking age has not reduced drunk driving fatalities, but has only made the situation worse. Bertoniere’'s presence underscored the hypocrisy of sending young people to war and prohibiting them from consuming alcohol. By all accounts, the event was a success, and NYRA expresses it sincere thanks to the NCSLA for hosting them.
October 25, 2006NYRA Member Charged with Felony for Voting
Calling it the biggest thing he has ever done in his entire life, Jesse L. Hunter voted in the Minnesota primaries on Sept. 12. However, Hunter is unlike other voters casting their ballots this year. He is only 17 years old. "They [polling officials] examined my driver's license and asked for my social security number," Hunter said, "but they never seemed to notice that I wrote '1989' as the year of my birth. I voted, and walked out euphoric, bearing an 'I Voted' sticker upon my forehead."
Hunter tells fellow members at the National Youth Rights Association (NYRA) that he never intended to actually vote, but wanted to spark a conversation on the voting age. He considers the current voting age to be unfair to those under the age of 18. "I learned about the importance of voting from my high school government teacher," he said. Hunter's mother broke down in tears after receiving a phone call from the district attorney's office informing her that her son will be charged with voting fraud, a class one felony in the state of Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, a judge is allowed to give a sentence of up to 12 months in jail or other non-jail sanctions as conditions of probation for someone with no criminal history.
"Many adults take the right to vote for granted: more than 80 million eligible adults failed to vote in the 'high turnout' 2004 election," said Alex Koroknay-Palicz, NYRA's Executive Director. "Yet for exercising the central civil right in this country, Jesse is being charged with a felony." "If Jesse was a year older, he would be applauded for doing his civic duty, but instead, he is being charged with a crime," said Adam King, NYRA's Vice President. "Jesse had the courage to stand up for what is right - for democracy - and he could go to jail for doing so."
New Youth Rights Book Set for Publication
The noted scholar Dr. Robert Epstein has written a book entitled "The Case against Adolescence: Reversing the Artificial Extension of Childhood, Rediscovering the Adult in Every Teen." NYRA received an advance copy of this book several months ago, but at the time Epstein was having a hard time finding a publisher. "The Case against Adolescence" will come out in March of 2007, and NYRA is expecting a significant reaction and a great deal of media attention. The book argues that adolescence is an unnecessary part of life, and that young people should be treated more like adults. Epstein is the west coast editor of Physchology Today, and is a highly respected individual in his field, his book is sure to turn some heads. Be sure to keep an eye out for this book in March.
House Passes Anti-Students' Rights Bill
The US House of Representatives recently passed the so-called Student Teacher Safety Act of 2006 (HR 5295). The Student Teacher Safety Act requires all schools receiving federal funding to adopt authoritarian policies. It would essentially require most school districts to allow teachers and other school officials to search any student at any time for any or no reason at all. NYRA members are encouraged to contact their US Senators, and ask them to oppose this legislation, should a Senate version come to the floor. Rep. Geoff Davis, who is facing a tough reelection, introduced HR 5295. Among the groups opposed to the bill are the National School Boards Association, the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Great City Council Schools, Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, and of course, NYRA.
The bill made its way through the House of Representatives by an anonymous two-thirds voice vote, which would not have been possible without the tacit approval of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Youth rights activists should demand to know if their Representatives voted for this atrocious legislation. A few members of Congress had the courage to stand up and speak out against HR 5295 - particularly Rep. Pete Stark, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Rep. Danny Davis, and Rep. George Miller.
NYRA Board Holds First Meeting, Elects Officers
On Sunday, September 3rd, NYRA’s new Board of Directors held its first meeting. The Board elected Scott Davidson, former Secretary, to serve as President. The board elected Adam King as Vice President. Zach Hobesh of NYRA-Berkeley is now NYRA’s Treasurer, and Rich Jahn while not a board member this year, is once again NYRA’s Secretary, returning to a position he held a few years ago. The board also approved a pair of resolutions allowing non-director officers to sit on board committees, and reapproved a bylaw defining NYRA’s chapters as separate legal entities. Later, the board engaged in a somewhat controversial discussion regarding standards on the forums. Most of the board agreed that there should be some limits regarding what can be posted on NYRA’s web forums. Toward the end of the meeting, the discussion moved toward the possibility of protests in November, and other action steps to move the organization forward.
August 15, 2006NYRA Holds Annual Meeting
On August 5, 2006, NYRA members met in San
Francisco to listen to speakers, hear about the events of the
past year, and discuss youth rights with activists from throughout the
country. This year’s annual meeting was the best NYRA has ever had.
The meeting began with a film entitled Les Enfants Perdus De Tranquility
Bay. This powerful, moving documentary exposes the atrocities committed
by The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools. Even
those familiar with WWASPS left the meeting with a greater understanding
of the behavior modification industry. After the film, Jordan Riak of
nospank.net gave an enlightening speech about gulag schools and corporal
punishment.
After lunch, those attending the meeting heard from Dr. Mike Males.
Males is currently a sociology professor at UC Santa Cruz. He is also a
member of NYRA’s Board of Advisors. Males spoke about how problems generally associated with young people
are either fabricated or exaggerated by the media and policy makers.
Males went on to explain how older people are actually engaging in more
negative behavior, and how a lot of ageism is actually rooted in racist,
xenophobic fear. After Males’ speech, NYRA’s Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz
delivered the annual report. Koroknay-Palicz’s report was cautiously
optimistic. He noted that while NYRA had many shortcomings over the
past year, most of these shortcomings were intensified by unrealistic
expectations. He also noted that while chapter activity declined,
NYRA’s financial situation has actually improved. In total eighteen people attended.
Election Held, New Board Elected
After a close election, NYRA’s membership has spoken. The membership
has elected Jessica Campbell, Scott Davidson, Zach Hobesh, Alex
Hull-Richter, Adam King, Alex Koroknay-Palicz, Keith Mandell, Katrina
Moncure, and Pamela Tatz to sit on the NYRA board of directors for the
2006-2007 term. All of the candidates were well qualified, and everyone
on this board possesses unique attributes that will strengthen NYRA over
the next year. The board of directors provides leadership for the organization and
hires the organization's staff. Directors serve one year terms and
all members may run for the board.
NYRA members also voted on proposed bylaw amendments. The bulk of
NYRA’s important chapter policy was approved, but an essential provision
defining chapters as separate legal entities failed to receive the
necessary two-thirds majority. The new board is expected to re-approve
this bylaw, and bring it to the membership for a second vote next
summer. The membership also approved bylaw amendments regarding
attendance requirements for directors and officers, and other matters.
July 11, 2006Election Started, Be Sure to Vote
The 2006 board election started on July 5 and will last until August 5. Eleven NYRA members are running, the full list: Jessica Campbell, Scott Davidson (incumbent), Zach Hobesh, Alex Hull-Richter, Rich Jahn, Adam King, Alex Koroknay-Palicz (incumbent), Keith Mandell (incumbent), Katrina Moncure (incumbent), Chip Sinton, and Pamela Tatz (incumbent). All candidates have answered a questionnaire about issues facing the organization and have submitted a bio statement to provide more information to voters. Check that out and more at our election page.
At the end of the election, on August 5, the annual meeting will be held in Berkeley, Cali., where leaders and members of the organization will meet to discuss the past year’s events and the results from the election. All members and supporters are invited and encouraged to attend. If you are able to attend the annual meeting, please Register Online. Space is still available if you want free housing, but time is running out!
In addition to electing NYRA's new board of directors for the next year, members will vote to approve a new policy regarding NYRA's local and state chapters. Read more about the bylaw changes here. To vote in the election, you must be a paid member of the organization.The membership fee is only $10, and it must be renewed every year. Be sure to pay your dues so you can vote.
Teen Driving Story in USA Today Quotes NYRA
USA Today, which is among the country’s most widely circulated publications, recently quoted NYRA’s Executive Director in an article on teen driving. Specifically, the article dealt with a report put out by the National Highway Safety Administration, which presented a biased, anti-youth interpretation of driving fatality statistics aimed at convincing states to make seventeen the age at which young people can have full driving “privileges.”
The study never looked at whether or not teen driving restrictions shift fatalities to the next demographic, which was among the findings of a study conducted by Dr. Mike Males at UC-Santa Cruz. The NHSA study merely points out the obvious, that if you keep people from driving they will be involved in fewer accidents. The study takes that fact and frames it as an argument for limiting the rights of young people. As NYRA Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz said, “Our society is dependent on cars, to have driving stripped away from young people is discriminating.” This is the second time NYRA has appeared in a USA Today related to youth driving. This quote will expose many thousands of people to our perspective. The full article can be read here.
June 29, 2006New Poll Shows Youth Support for Lowering the Voting Age
A group called Do Something has done a poll that went out and asked teens what they thought of the voting age. The results: "When results for a lower voting age are combined, there is a clear majority of young people who believe that the voting age should be lowered to at least 17. If the voting age were going to be lowered to either 16 or 17, young people would prefer 16." The survey also found that between 54% and 61% would sign a petition to lower the voting age. An interesting result of the poll found that a full 76% percent of youth think that they are responsible to vote, yet only 25-35% think others their age are responsible to vote. The Do Something analysis is right on the mark: "It is clear that young people have a greatly diminished opinion (compared to a self-opinion) about their demographic as a whole. There is no definitive explanation for this disparity. It is possible that when teens think of their contemporaries they only envision the predominantly negative portraits published by sensational media." Read the poll here.
NYRA-Vermont Holds “Know Your Rights Day” NYRA Vermont, one of NYRA’s most active chapters, held an event called “Know Your Rights Day” on May 16 at the Vermont Commons School in Burlington. The event attracted dozens of students, as well as members of the local press. “Know Your Rights Day” consisted of a series of workshops pertaining to youth and student rights, as well as speeches by several experts on these issues. Among the speakers were Hardy Machia, the Secretary of NYRA Vermont and the Chairman of the Vermont Libertarian Party; Allen Gilbert, the Executive Director of the Vermont chapter of the ACLU; Frank Bryan, a professor at the University of Vermont; and Matt Brown, a UVM sophomore. Jay Leff, the president of NYRA-Vermont and a member of the NYRA Board of Directors, was on hand at the event and the local press quoted him extensively. Leff pointed out the importance of understanding your civil rights, and how the schools have failed to teach these rights in any thing but a historical context. The organizers of the event said that they hoped for more faculty involvement and a higher student turnout, but they were generally satisfied with the workshop.
June 15, 2006NYRA Treasurer Introduces "Spell NYRA"
NYRA's Treasurer Katrina Moncure has a fundraising idea that is sure to work. She made a big grid that spells out "NYRA" in a multitude of 50 by 10 pixel spaces. Each space is only $25, and it will make up a small part of the large NYRA picture. Moncure wants everyone to spread the word by promoting it on their own websites and on other forums that they visit. ALL money from this project goes to NYRA. The more competitive this becomes, the faster the spaces will fill up, and thus, the more money NYRA receives. For more information, go to www.spellnyra.org. This is a great way to promote your own website and help NYRA at the same time!
June 13, 2006Myspace Restrictions
There is a new bill pending in Congress that would cut government funding to any school or library that permits people under the age of 18 to access social networking websites such as Myspace. In addition, many schools are starting to punish students for pictures on their Myspace
accounts.
On May 22, reporters from ABC’s World News Tonight interviewed Alex Koroknay-Palicz, NYRA’s executive director. While the news did not air Koroknay-Palicz’s segment, he was quoted in an online news article. You can read the full article here. A longtime ally of NYRA, Mobilizing America’s Youth is working with other organizations in the youth rights movement to oppose the House bill that would place prohibitions on Myspace. In a statement issued on May 18, Koroknay-Palicz said, “The National Youth Rights Association strongly condemns schools that use online information about a student as grounds for punishment… Unless a student’s behavior directly and tangibly disrupts learning at school, it is simply none of the school’s business. Schools are not a massive unrestrained police force for all individuals under 18." Write Congress to help Defend MySpace
May 17, 2006NYRA Members Lobby in Sacramento
NYRA members, drawn largely from the Orange County and Berkeley chapters, attended the California Democratic Party’s annual convention from April 28-30. NYRA hoped that the California Democratic Party would embrace NYRA’s voting age position as part of its platform. Many party leaders were supportive, however the platform committee was directly hostile to lowering the voting age and the NYRA members in attendance. NYRA-OC President Natasha Hull-Richter, who organized the campaign, stated that “those appointed to the committee were strong opponents of youth rights.” The chair of the platform committee denied NYRA members the customary response time, and many NYRA-OC members left the convention early, feeling that the deck was stacked against them. While the experience with that platform committee was overwhelmingly negative, more good than bad came out of the campaign. NYRA members also secured the support of several prominent California politicians who were in attendance. Rep. Maxine Waters, Assemblyman Paul Koretz, State Controller and gubernatorial candidate Steve Wesley, State Senator Jackie Speier and State Senator Deborah Bowen all expressed their support for a lower voting age. Coming just after an endorsement from the Screen Actors Guild, this represents a victory for the cause of youth rights. California NYRA members are currently waiting to hear if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in favor of a lower voting age. NYRA sends it sincere thanks to all the members who attended this convention, and especially to the politicians who were courageous enough to stand up for youth rights.
New York Schools Become More Authoritarian
Students’ rights are quickly becoming an issue of significant import in New York City. It is in the papers and on television, and NYRA members have overheard youth rights issues being discussed in the office of a very influential New York City Councilman. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has recently been enforcing a ban on cell phones in public schools, to the disgust of many students and parents. And in a move that is perhaps even more disgusting than the ban on cell phones, New York City is performing more and more random searches on students who have done nothing wrong. Students have organized successful protests, which have in turn brought the issue a great deal of attention from the media and from elected officials. NYRA hopes that this frustration and outrage over a relatively narrow issue can be channeled into a general outrage over compulsory education in the United States, and the way young people are generally treated as second-class citizens. A protest took place at New York City Hall on Thursday, May 11. More information on it at the NYRA Blog.
May 1, 2006NYRA Appearance on Radio
NYRA's Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz and professor Mike Males appeared on the Internet radio show, "Advocating America's Young Adult" for a live interview discussing various aspects of youth rights and problems that face the movement. On Thursday, April 27, 2006, radio show hosts Chloe White and Charlie Fairchild, two supporters of youth rights, interviewed Males and Koroknay-Palicz for an hour from 8 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET. The two leaders were asked questions about NYRA and what all it has accomplished and various issues concerning youth rights. A big highlight of the show was when the two were asked about the recent driving study that Males and NYRA published last month.
Koroknay-Palicz made several mentions of NYRA's website, but due to the normal lack of visitors nearing the weekend, the website did not receive any more visitors than usual. At the end of the show, two NYRA members, Adam King and Jessica Campbell called in. King commented on the organization and all that it has done for him, while Campbell focused on the issue of behavior modification facilities, which had not been mentioned in the show until then. If you would like to listen to the online recording, go to Voice America.
April 12, 2006NYRAthon Underway, More Donations Needed
Last year's NYRAthon was an overwhelming success. Chapters and individuals engaged in friendly competition to see who could raise the most money, which resulted in a relatively significant influx of money. This money was what allowed NYRA to hire its Executive Director to work full time. If NYRA is ever to become the viable organization that we want it to be, we need enough
money for a full time staff.
Unfortunately, this year's NYRAthon has not been as successful. The contest, which runs until June 7, will award prizes to the three individuals who raise the most money for NYRA. There will also be a prize for the chapter that raises the most money. The administration cannot overstate the importance of this kind of fundraising. Even if members don't have a lot of money, every little bit helps. With too few active members and the recent loss of our physical office, it is especially important that we keep our
Executive Director working full time, and possibly expand our staff in the coming years.
To make a donation, please send a check or cash to -
1703 Farragut Ave, Rockville MD, 20851.
NYRA Member Makes Progress with Student Representation
Since February, 2006, Adam King, one of the leaders in NYRA's chapter formation, has worked extensively to convince the Buncombe County Board of Education to add a student advisor to the board. This position would initially be non-voting, and the student would not be allowed to sit in on closed sessions that deal with personnel or other students. King, of Asheville, N.C., believes that students should have direct representation on school boards because that level of government controls students the most. King, with the documented support of his principal, many teachers, students and parents, spoke to the board on Monday, April 3, 2006. The chair commended him for his involvement, but he told King that it was not a decision that could be made by the local school board. King later contacted the NC State Board of Education, and the board's legal advisor confirmed that it is indeed a local board issue. On Monday, April 10, King appeared on the front page of the Asheville Citizen-Times, his local paper, and in an editorial in his favor on April 11. He has also been featured on WLOS-TV (ABC), on radio stations, and in his school's newspaper. With more information and support, King plans to update his school board at its next monthly meeting in May.
King's idea is not unheard of. There are school boards across the country who have student advisors or representatives on their boards. Some boards even allow students the ability to vote on matters presented. "In order for a school board to best serve the interests of the students, this position is necessary," King said. "If my state's school board can have two student advisors, why wouldn't my local board be able to?" For more information or to arrange an interview, contact King by email.
NYRA-OC Fights Cali. Voting Age
NYRA-Orange County is engaged in a campaign to get both political parties to support a lower voting age. They are starting with the California Democratic Party (CDP), where they have several contacts. As of April 6, the chapter was planning to attend the CDP's convention in Sacramento in order to make lowering the voting age a part of the party platform. The chapter needs to get three hundred delegate signatures for the platform amendment to be considered, which will be rather difficult. NYRA-OC has been contacting media and other young people to let them know about the voting age efforts. The chapter plans to march to the capitol after the convention. If you live in the Orange County area and you would like to become involved with NYRA-OC, please visit their website.
April 6, 2006NYRA Releases New Study: Teen Drivers Safer Than Previously Thought
The National Youth Rights Association (NYRA), in cooperation
with Dr. Mike Males at UC Santa Cruz, has released a new study concerning teenaged drivers that disputes
the notion that teens are reckless killers behind the wheel. The study shows that the largest risk factor for
driving is poverty, not age. They hope that the study will help combat misconceptions about teen driving that
have been perpetuated by the AAA, and what NYRA perceives as a hostile media who have not given a
critical eye to often hysteric anti-teen view points.
The study, which looks at the records of all fatal traffic
accidents in California between 1995 and 2004, shows that young people are far less dangerous behind
the wheel than previously believed, and that accidents that do happen are more likely the fault of poverty
and not age. “Young people are far more likely to live in poverty,” said Dr. Males, “When teen and middle-aged
poverty rates are equalized, teens are no more at risk on the highways than middle-agers.” “We hear all the
time how teens are a menace to society, yet the facts don’t match the hype.” said NYRA Executive Director
Alex Koroknay-Palicz, “Dr. Males’ study shows that looking at age alone gives an inaccurate, and indeed an
irresponsible picture of teen driving.” Read the full study here.
March 9, 2006NYRA Member Leads Local Campaign
Adam King, one of the leaders of NYRA's Chapter Formation Division, has undertaken a project in Asheville, NC. King is working to introduce a position on the school board that would give a non-voting seat to a student representative chosen by the county's students. He has worked extensively to hopefully make this project a success. He appeared on his local television news station on Thursday, February 23, 2006, as the first story on two newscasts. He has also been mentioned on local radio stations, and he has been interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper.
King has the full support of his school's principal, many teachers, the student council, and many parents. Originally, he would be presenting the idea to the Board of Education on Thursday, March 2, 2006. However, the Board voted to postpone the proposal until the next meeting which is on April 6, 2006.
For more information, read his blog entry at NYRA's Age of Reason.
February 15, 2006New York City Voting Age Bill
This past spring, New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer introduced a
bill to lower the voting age to sixteen for municipal elections.
About a dozen NYRA members were present when the bill was introduced,
and a few spoke at Brewer's press conference. At a recent meeting, NYRA's New York City chapter agreed that the
voting age bill was a priority, and that they should work on it.
Brewer's office stated that all bills died at the end of the term, and
that it needed to be reintroduced as a technicality. Soon, Brewer
will contact the chairman of the Government Operations Committee,
Councilman Felder, and ask that her bill be granted a hearing.
There is some concern that there may be a conflict between the voting
age bill and state law, which has its own regulations regarding the
eligibility of voters. When NYRA members in another part of New York
lobbied for a lower voting age, they were told that they must take the
issue to the state legislature first. NYRA NYC also plans to lobby
for legislation that will clearly articulate the right of a
municipality in New York State to lower its voting age for municipal
elections. Things should begin to move ahead in late February and early March.
If this bill passes committee, it will receive even more press.
Should the bill pass through the city council and the Mayor's office,
it will partially enfranchise over a million young people and set an
example for the rest of the nation.
NYRA Starts Book Club
A great deal has been written about youth rights theory, and about
educational theory that is pertinent to youth rights. Authors such as
John Holt, Richard Farson, and Mike Males have written works of great
importance that all youth rights activists should read. It is also
essential that youth rights supporters understand civil rights
movements that came before the youth rights movement, so that they
might learn from their example.
Realizing this, NYRA has created a book club. Members will read books
about youth rights, civil rights, and things of this nature. The
books will be discussed over an email mailing list. This is a chance
for NYRA members to read works that are very close to the heart of the
organization, and to engage in thought provoking discussion with
like-minded individuals. The book club will soon be reading "How Children Learn" by John Holt.
This is one of Holt's earlier works, and it is among his most popular.
It should be available at most public libraries. If you are
interested in the book club, please email Alex Koroknay-Palicz.
Annual Meeting Dates Announced
NYRA's annual meeting will be held in Berkeley, California on
Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006. NYRA's annual election will
start on July 5, 2006, and it will end on the day of the annual meeting.
If anyone who is interested in attending the annual meeting needs a place
to sleep at night, they should contact Pamela Tatz
as early as possible. To suggest ideas for workshops or anything related to the annual
meeting, please visit
this thread on the NYRA forums.
January 11, 2006Paterson Chapter Fights Curfew
This fall the Paterson, New Jersey City Council asked residents to vote on whether they
would support a youth curfew ordinance. The Council did not present any
details or any kind of plan, and the only relevant court case in New Jersey
resulted in a ruling against curfews.
Unfortunately, Paterson voters
overwhelmingly supported the proposed curfew, forcing NYRA-Paterson to take
action.
NYRA-Paterson's president Fredrick Mutooni attended a City Council meeting,
where he declared the curfew was "a political ploy for the mayor and three
current Council members to be re-elected." A lawyer for the city later
informed Mutooni that the curfew was illegal, but many Paterson politicians
refute this claim. Mutooni has declared his candidacy for the Paterson City Council, and he
must collect 609 signatures for his name to appear on the ballot. As of New
Year's Day, Mutooni had collected 165 signatures. He faces a difficult,
uphill battle, but he is committed to the cause, and the truth is on his
side. NYRA cannot formally endorse any political candidate, but it is clear
that Mutooni feels passionately about youth rights, and his views are
largely in line with NYRA's platform.
Youth curfews, as the name indicates, are laws that make it illegal for
young people to be outside of their homes during certain hours. Studies
have shown that these authoritarian laws do not reduce crime. They fill
jail cells with innocent people and divert the attention of law enforcement.
Youth curfews tend to be enforced most often in predominantly black and
Latino neighborhoods. In 1996, Paterson voted in favor of a curfew but did
nothing. Mutooni said, "There is no place to lock up thousands of youth."
NYRA Receives Grant
Chris Lydon, a NYRA member from New Jersey, applied for a grant through his
employer, Time Warner. Lydon has done work for NYRA in the past by
volunteering at Warped Tour events in New Jersey, and attending meetings in
New York. Time Warner gave NYRA a grant in the amount of 1000 dollars, the
single largest contribution the organization has ever received.
In the past, NYRA has operated on a meager annual budget of around $3000
dollars, and this grant comes as part of an effort to bring NYRA's funding
to the next level. NYRA expresses its deep and sincere gratitude to Lydon
and Time Warner for this generous gift.
Berkeley Chapter Hold Voting Age Debate
NYRA-Berkeley recently participated in a successful debate on whether
17-year-olds should be permitted to vote in Berkeley School Board elections.
The debate, which took place on the campus of Berkeley High School,
was sponsored by the Berkeley Youth Commission and attended by four classes
of students.
Councilman Max Anderson spoke in favor of the youth suffrage proposal,
citing the fact that 17-years-olds can drive and enlist in the military. Councilman Gordon Wozniack attempted to refute Councilman Anderson's
arguments, arguing against the NYRA position. Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates also
attended the debate. NYRA's vice president Pamela Tatz and NYRA-Berkeley's president Zach Hobesh
also spoke on behalf of the proposal, while students from the Junior
Statesman of America argued against NYRA's voting age efforts.
The debate was moderated by Berkeley Youth Commission Chairman Rio Bauce,
who is also the Chairman of NYRA-Berkeley. Bauce asked those present to
sign a petition on behalf of the proposal. An article about the debate
appeared in the Berkeley Daily Planet. By all accounts, this debate was an
overwhelming victory, and NYRA remains hopeful that NYRA-Berkeley will
triumph in their struggle to lower the voting age.
Want to Learn More?
in different parts of the world that will air in December. When it was time to visit America, BBC stopped in Washington, D.C., and spoke at length with NYRA’'s Executive Director, Alex Koroknay-Palicz. The following afternoon, several young people associated with NYRA participated in a discussion on what it is like to be young in America. The discussion went very well, and several youth rights issues were favorably covered. NYRA President Scott Davidson was also interviewed for the project. 
attended the 
Reversing the Artificial Extension of Childhood, Rediscovering the Adult in Every Teen." NYRA received an advance copy of this book several months ago, but at the time Epstein was having a hard time finding a publisher. "The Case against Adolescence" will come out in March of 2007, and NYRA is expecting a significant reaction and a great deal of media attention. The book argues that adolescence is an unnecessary part of life, and that young people should be treated more like adults. Epstein is the west coast editor of Physchology Today, and is a highly respected individual in his field, his book is sure to turn some heads. Be sure to keep an eye out for this book in March. 
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has recently been enforcing a ban on cell phones in public schools, to the disgust of many students and parents. And in a move that is perhaps even more disgusting than the ban on cell phones, New York City is performing more and more random searches on students who have done nothing wrong. Students have organized successful protests, which have in turn brought the issue a great deal of attention from the media and from elected officials. NYRA hopes that this frustration and outrage over a relatively narrow issue can be channeled into a general outrage over compulsory education in the United States, and the way young people are generally treated as second-class citizens. A protest took place at New York City Hall on Thursday, May 11. 
The two leaders were asked questions about NYRA and what all it has accomplished and various issues concerning youth rights. A big highlight of the show was when the two were asked about the recent driving study that Males and NYRA published last month. 
King, of Asheville, N.C., believes that students should have direct representation on school boards because that level of government controls students the most. King, with the documented support of his principal, many teachers, students and parents, spoke to the board on Monday, April 3, 2006. The chair commended him for his involvement, but he told King that it was not a decision that could be made by the local school board. King later contacted the NC State Board of Education, and the board's legal advisor confirmed that it is indeed a local board issue. On Monday, April 10, King appeared on the front page of the Asheville Citizen-Times, his local paper, and in an editorial in his favor on April 11. He has also been featured on WLOS-TV (ABC), on radio stations, and in his school's newspaper. With more information and support, King plans to update his school board at its next monthly meeting in May.
The study shows that the largest risk factor for
driving is poverty, not age. They hope that the study will help combat misconceptions about teen driving that
have been perpetuated by the AAA, and what NYRA perceives as a hostile media who have not given a
critical eye to often hysteric anti-teen view points. 
King is working to introduce a position on the school board that would give a non-voting seat to a student representative chosen by the county's students. He has worked extensively to hopefully make this project a success. He appeared on his local television news station on Thursday, February 23, 2006, as the first story on two newscasts. He has also been mentioned on local radio stations, and he has been interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper.
Unfortunately, Paterson voters
overwhelmingly supported the proposed curfew, forcing NYRA-Paterson to take
action.