[NYRA] "NYRA Freedom" Volume 8, Issue 1

Wed Feb 13 14:25:50 CST 2008

-----NYRA Freedom-----

ISSN 1933-5229

Volume 8, Issue 1

February 13, 2008

--------Table of Contents-----------

- Introduction
- NYRA Money Bombs a Great Success.  New Fundraising Record Set.
- Time to Rethink Age Restrictions ? Op-Ed in NY Times
- Arizona bill proposes lowering the voting age
- Do Graduated Driver?s Licenses Work?  Mike Males Says No.

--Chapter Updates--

     - NYRA ? Los Angeles is up and running
     - NYRA ? Westchester County
     - Youth Rights in New Orleans
     - NYRA-Orlando Plans to Protest at the Polls in November
     - New York City Meet-Up Planned for March

- News from the Web
- Conclusion

-------- Introduction--------

NYRA is beginning 2008 with a renewed vigor towards protecting youth  
rights.  We have successfully conducted fund raising campaigns, and  
are on our way to creating new chapters throughout the country.   
NYRA's voice in the world is growing.  We are receiving increasing  
press coverage, including a feature article in the Washington Post.   
If January and February are any indication of what this year holds, it  
will certainly be a successful one for our organization.

-------- Money Bombs a Great Success.  New Fundraising Record Set. --------

The last two months have seen an unprecedented surge in NYRA  
fundraising.  Because of your generosity you have put NYRA on pace for  
a record fundraising year in 2008.  NYRA participated in the Causes  
Giving Challenge on Facebook that began on December 14 and lasted till  
February 1.  NYRA focused on two days, December 19 and January 16, to  
hold ?money bombs? in the hope of winning the contest?s daily prize of  
$1,000.  Despite an incredibly impressive drive on both days, we did  
not win the daily prize on either day, nor did we win any of the  
overall prizes in the contest.  But we did shatter all fundraising  
records this organization?s history.

Between the two money bombs on Facebook, our annual year-end  
fundraiser and two small grants we received, we raised a total of  
$14,160 in the last two months!  Over $5,000 of that total came from  
individual members and supporters of the cause.  This is absolutely  
unprecedented.  Last year we raised about $17,000 for the entire year.  
  To follow that with over $14,000 in just two months sends a very  
strong message that youth rights is gaining in popularity and gaining  
in strength.

Over 170 people gave to NYRA in the last two months.  Our paid  
membership is up to 190, the highest total in NYRA history.  Thank you  
to everyone who participated and thank you for continuing to grow this  
organization.  We?re still small, but with your continued support we  
are growing bigger and bigger every year!

-------- Time to Rethink Age Restrictions ? Op-Ed in NY Times --------

Wednesday the New York Times printed an op-ed written by Anya Kamenetz  
entitled, ?You?re 16, You?re Beautiful and You?re a Voter?.  Kamenetz  
makes the case that the voting age, drinking age, credit card  
ownership and other age restrictions should be lowered to 16.  She  
also describes competency testing as a more flexible standard than  
?increasingly inadequate? age restrictions.  Kamenetz proposes adult  
rights be granted gradually to individuals who are 16 or 17, as we  
currently do with driving.  The New York Times editorial page is an  
important podium from which to promote greater youth rights and  
skepticism of age restrictions.  NYRA welcomes Kamenetz? support.  The  
profile of this movement continues to grow and our list of supporters  
continues to expand.

Read the Op-ed here:
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14050

-------- Arizona bill proposes lowering the voting age --------

Arizona has become the latest state to consider lowering the voting  
age. State legislator Ed Ableser introduced a bill to amend the  
Arizona State Constitution to lower the voting age to 16 state wide.  
While only the minority party, there are signs that the Arizona  
Democratic Party would support this bill that would legally  
enfranchise Arizona?s teens.

We are making progress. There was a time, when such a proposal in and  
of itself would have been considered impossible. And there will be a  
time when such a proposal will pass and become a reality. Those of you  
who live in Arizona call up your state legislators and ask them to  
support HCR 2010.  The voting age is within grasp.

More information here:
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14101

-------- Do Graduated Driver?s Licenses Work?  Mike Males Says No--------

In a ground breaking study, author and sociologist Mike Males,  
demonstrates that California?s graduated driver?s license (GDL) has  
not, like its proponents claim, made driving safer in the state.   
Males? study gives solid evidence to support the assertion made by  
youth rights advocates for years that greater experience produces  
better drivers, not age.  Many studies have touted the effectiveness  
of strict graduated drivers licensing laws, but this study showed an  
8% increase in fatal accidents after the GDL law was passed.

This study, published in the National Safety Council's Journal of  
Safety Research looked at the broad effects of the GDL law instead of  
looking exclusively on the effects the law has had on teen drivers as  
previous studies have done.  Previous studies have shown GDL laws to  
reduce fatal accidents among drivers under 18.  This new study  
confirms that fact but looks at how those drivers behave on the roads  
after the GDL restrictions expire at age 18.  The study shows that  
drivers aged 18-21 who learned to drive under GDL experienced far more  
fatal accidents than drivers who never had GDL.  A full 24% increase  
in fatal accidents among 18-year-old drivers.  This increase more than  
offset the lives saved among 16-year-olds.

This important study confirms the notion that GDLs do not produce  
better drivers, they just deny useful experience to young drivers who  
will experience a dangerous learning curve at 18 instead of 16 like  
before.  More information here:  
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13992

-------- Chapter Updates --------

---- NYRA ? Los Angeles is up and running ----

As of late December, the National Youth Rights Association has  
approved the Los Angeles chapter.  With many NYRA members in the area,  
it looks like there will be much promise for youth rights activism in  
the area.  Jonathan Corwin, has founded the chapter which is currently  
based at his high school in Tarzana, but has big plans for expanding  
the chapter throughout the area.  Other area members, like Daniel  
Sobajian, a member of the Los Angeles Youth Council, are putting  
together chapters in the area as well.

---- NYRA ? Westchester County ----

Teddy O?Rourke a freshman at Harrison High School is setting up  
NYRA-Westchester County in New York.  The chapter had its first  
meeting on Thursday and has a second meeting scheduled for this week.   
The chapter is interested in working on student rights and lowering  
the voting age.  While New York state doesn?t allow municipalities to  
lower their voting age independent of the state, NYRA-Westchester  
County intends to lobby the state to change those rules and win the  
endorsement of local officials.  The chapter also intends to challenge  
the high school?s policy banning hats at school.

---- Youth Rights in New Orleans ----

A NYRA chapter is coming together in New Orleans.  NYRA member Ashley  
Campbell has been distributing NYRA flyers all through the city to  
raise awareness of the cause.  She intends to begin recruiting in  
earnest at popular hang out spots like the riverwalk and Bourbon  
street.  The chapter intends to focus on lowering the drinking age and  
has received a very supportive reception so far.

---- NYRA-Orlando Plans to Protest at the Polls in November ----

Following in the footsteps of Susan B. Anthony and our own Robert  
Reynolds, NYRA Vice President and leader of NYRA-Orlando, Chip Sinton,  
has pledged to lead a protest on Election Day to advocate for the  
right to vote.  Sinton and other chapter members will request a ballot  
and attempt to vote as a demonstration of teen?s interest in voting  
and their legal disenfranchisement.  Other NYRA chapters are strongly  
urged to join in this campaign to draw attention to the  
disenfranchisement of youth.

---- New York City Meet-Up Planned for March----

Youth rights supporters in the NYC metro area are encouraged to attend  
a Meet-Up scheduled for March 10 at 5:15 PM.  With many active members  
in the area and several up and coming chapters, New York could be a  
strong hub for the movement in the future.  This Meet-Up will be a  
great chance for youth rights supporters to sit down and discuss  
strategy and plans for working together.  In addition to local  
activists, Freechild.org founder, and NYRA advisor Adam Fletcher plans  
to attend.  The Meet-Up will be held at the Whole Foods on the corner  
of Houston and Bowery.  All local NYRA members are strongly encouraged  
to attend.  More information here:
http://nyra.meetup.com/49/calendar/7140690/

---------News From the Web---------

----NYRA-Related News----

Lawmaker's amendment would lower voting age to 17
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14098

Graham Anderson '10: The politically disenfranchised: children
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13983

How about lowering voting age to 16 or 17?
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13982

Camden pushes curfew after January killings
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13981

Lawmaker calls for lowering voting age
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13980

Age Is Just a Number: Youth Rights Advocate Tries to Break Down  
Barriers to Adulthood
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13430

----Other Youth Rights News----

Police oppose curfew, viability of enforcement questioned
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14102

Sheriff wants to lower age for learner's permit
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14100

Are Kids Copying Their Parents When They Lie?
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14097

New Law: Parent's Permission Required For Myspace/Facebook Account
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14090

Judging the Judge: An Examination of the Judge Rotenberg Center
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14070

You?re 16, You?re Beautiful and You?re a Voter
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14050

Staten Island pol suggests letting some 17-year-olds vote
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=14034

DOA drinking bills make a point for lawmakers
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13993

California?s strict law on licenses may not be making the roads safer  
for young people
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13992

SC Rep.: Alcohol for Underage Military
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13989

2 Students Expelled for Kissing on South Carolina School Bus
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13984

NYC School Handcuffed Kindergartener Over Temper Tantrum
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13965

US court rules 12-year-old boy should be consulted about circumcision
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13955

Violate skate ban, lose wheels
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13912

Maybe He Shouldn?t Have Spoken His Mind
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13881

Persecuted Homeschool Family to Leave Germany
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13830

'Meanest mom on the planet' sells son's car -- after finding booze in it
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13827

Smoking age 'should rise to 21'
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13826

Bill would let GIs under 21 get alcohol
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=13797

---------Conclusion---------

With all of NYRA's press coverage, and press coverage for youth rights  
issues as a whole, we cannot afford to loose the momentum that we are  
building.  Now, more than ever, we must continue to struggle against  
ageism.  We must ensure that our struggles do not go to waste.  Each  
of you has an important role to play in NYRA's mission.  Challenge  
yourself to stand up and take action.  Gather together a group of like  
minded individuals and form a chapter; hold a rally or a protest.   
Fight unjust laws.  We have had a great several months and NYRA relies  
upon you to ensure that we continue on this path to success.