NYRA, and much of the Washington, DC area was caught by surprise this month when Montgomery County, MD County Executive Ike Leggett proposed a youth curfew law for the county. What was surprising is that crime has been steadily declining in the county, so unlike other communities that consider curfews, there seemed to be no…
Just finished the 18th run of #16tovote on the 16th! Being a lovely (where I am anyway) summer Saturday, certainly it felt like there may have been better things to do than be cooped up inside tweeting about lowering the voting age. But it was the 16th, and our monthly tradition called! Had a rather…
In a conversation with a friend who is new to youth rights ideology, I was recently asked a question. Why, he asked me, is youth oppression considered oppression as such when everyone experiences it? As my friend understood it, the oppression of young people was a necessary fact of life that all people passed through…
Definitely an important anniversary to mark for all of us. President Obama issued an official proclamation to honor the anniversary of lowering the voting age: Presidential Proclamation–40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 26TH AMENDMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Forty years ago, the 26th Amendment…
Introduction One simple step can greatly improve voter turnout and interest in elections. This step can also increase government responsiveness and help reinvigorate our democracy. In state after state and around the world, allowing young people to vote in elections has had substantial positive effects. The voting age in the District of Columbia should be…
This morning, the Supreme Court released the opinion in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Assn. By a vote of 7-2, the court found that the law was unconstitutional. The opinion of the court drawing a sharp distinction between violence and obscenity, it states that protecting minors from displays of violence is not exempt from the first amendment, and finds that the law is unconstitutional.
In a decision handed down today, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in our favor that video games are protected by the First Amendment and California can’t ban them to young people. The case, formerly Schwarzenegger v. EMA, now Brown v. EMA, is a huge victory for youth rights. NYRA, along with the National Coalition Against…
At the JavaMonkey in Decatur, Georgia on Spoken Word Open Mic Night “I am not a poet, but I enjoyed what I saw today. I’m the last act tonight because I wrote this poem during the break [and signed the list of performers last as a result]. I’ve never written poetry, but this is how…
In exactly one week the 2011 NYRA Board Election will begin! We’ve got an impressive slate of candidates this year. Six incumbents are running for reelection and nine challengers are vying for a spot on the board. This is one of the more diverse and impressive fields we have seen. Current board members seeking reelection…
Young people are often censored and when they are NYRA is there to defend their right to free speech. The first amendment does not enforce itself and it’s of critical importance that there exist organizations willing to fight for the right to speak. NYRA is pleased this month to announce that we have joined the…
