What We’re Up Against

Posted by on January 10th, 2008

First, look at this news story. It was early last month when Jane Hambleton of Fort Dodge found the bottle under the front seat of her 19-year-old son’s pride and joy. Her next move was a call to The Des Moines Register’s classified advertising department: OLDS 1999 Intrigue “Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love [...]

Youth Rights As A Political Issue

Posted by on January 7th, 2008

This blog entry is partially a response to the e-mail below, and partially a general comment, so not everything is gonna be directly related to or in response to this quoted bit: Well that is definitely an issue but not the only one. There are many steps it making this country bearable again and that [...]

Wow… Just… Wow.

Posted by on November 29th, 2007

Okay, well, first things first. Alex Koroknay-Palicz, our executive director, got profiled in the Washington Post, for those interested in the article (its quite decent) it can be found here. Now, having been here while the article was written, we were actually expecting something more about the organization and less about him, but hey, it [...]

On the Debate

Posted by on September 27th, 2007

First, I’d just like to introduce myself, my name is Bryan Jennings and I’m an intern at NYRA’s National Office, cozy little place that it is, here in Washington DC. I’m at American University for the Semester, but I usually go to Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Those interested in knowing more are [...]

We’re Making MADD Nervous!

Posted by on August 15th, 2007

MADD is taking notice of our actions to lower the drinking age. If MADD is getting nervous we must be on the right track. Write letters to the editor of your local paper supporting a lower drinking age. We have to keep the pressure on and not wither under a MADD counter-attack. Lets keep making [...]

DC Club Ban Update

Posted by on April 19th, 2007

As was reported in a previous NYRA blog entry, NYRA participated in several work group sessions with DC City Councilmember Jim Graham. Graham wanted to introduce an ageist bill, but was willing to listen to some of what we had to say, and the final draft of the legislation was significantly better than what Graham [...]

NYRA Testimony to DC Committee Hearing

Posted by on April 19th, 2007

Before the Committee on Public Works and the Environment of the Council of the District of Columbia Testimony of Alex Koroknay-Palicz On behalf of the National Youth Rights Association on Bill 17-88 The Protection and Safety of Underage Persons Amendment Act of 2007 April 18, 2007 I’d like to thank Councilman Graham for organizing the [...]

Full Text of Draft Bill in DC Youth Club Ban

Posted by on April 19th, 2007

A BILL ___________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ___________ To amend Title 25 of the District of Columbia Official Code to prevent the entrance of persons under the age of 18 into alcoholic beverage control licensed nightclubs, or into licensed establishments with entertainment endorsements during curfew hours, with certain exceptions, including accompaniment [...]

Details on DC Club Ban Hearing Tomorrow

Posted by on April 17th, 2007

COUNCILMEMBER JIM GRAHAM, CHAIRPERSON COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ENVIRONMENT ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING ON Bill 17-88, The “Protection And Safety Of Underage Persons Amendment Act of 2007” WEDNESDAY APRIL 18, 2007 AT 6 P.M. Room 412, John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20004 Councilmember Jim Graham, Chairperson of the [...]

Progress Made for Youth Rights in DC

Posted by on March 28th, 2007

Last month Washington, DC Councilman Jim Graham introduced a bill that would ban or restrict young people (everyone under 21) from clubs and music venues in the city. First reported on here in February when we highlighted the amazing committee testimony of Ian MacKaye and Spencer’s thoughts on the underage ban. Since then we’ve been [...]

Plugging Holes in Drinking Age Argument

Posted by on October 20th, 2006

There was a new thread started earlier today on the forums asking how we refute arguments against ours, specifically citing those from the National Transportation Safety Board. A response was given to our better talking points, albeit not great responses. But great responses or not, we have to be able to counter them. And whining [...]

NC Lowers Voting, Driving, Drinking Age

Posted by on March 29th, 2006

During this semester, I am taking the honors-level version of a state-mandated civics and economics class at my school. The class is quite interesting, and it involves a lot of open dicussion and thought. On Tuesday, the teacher assigned a fun project in which we were to write a mock state referendum concerning a state [...]

Why Not to Hate MADD

Posted by on February 6th, 2006

When I browse through the many threads on NYRA’s forums, I have run across a few posts that express absolute hatred against NYRA’s opponents, such as the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization. When I see such posts, I am appalled! Why are certain forum posters promoting such hatred? NYRA and MADD have always been two [...]

Brain Baloney

Posted by on January 30th, 2006

There appears to be absolutely no evidence whatsoever that the light or moderate consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 causes any brain impairment or harm.

New Hampshire Considers Lowering the Drinking Age

Posted by on January 12th, 2006

Great news, New Hampshire has joined Vermont and Wisconsin in introducing bills to lower the drinking age. Unlike Vermont though, the New Hampshire bill covers just those serving in the military. So if you are 18 and in the military you could legally drink in New Hampshire. Its a positive step forward at least. Most [...]

NYRA’s mission centers on challenging age discrimination against young people, both in law and in attitudes and supporting the basic freedoms afforded to young Americans in the Bill of Rights.