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…
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…
With no comprehensive, widely recognized bill of rights for students, NYRA has decided to draft a true student centered one. Existing bill of rights are crafted by high school and university administrators themselves and list off as many responsibilities (i.e. rules & regulations) as real rights students enjoy. With the rise of restrictive policies such…
A bill recently passed the Ohio State House, which would protect schools and their employees from liability resulting from injuring students, providing that injury does not cause permanent damage. Obviously, NYRA opposes this bill which sets aside the rights of young people in order to protect the rights of those who are intent on oppressing…
NYRA Vice-President Johnathan McClure has started a local NYRA chapter at the University of North Dakota. College campuses are a great place for Youth Rights activity, where a high concentration competent, politically active young people are still affected by ageist policy. The chapter, already officially recognized by the University, is thinking of possibly taking action…
In his recent state of the union speech, President Bush proposed a plan that would allocate $23 million dollars of government funds to schools that wished to implement drug testing. For a long time, compulsory education has extended itself far beyond simply teaching math, reading, and other such things, and has begun to intrude on…
A dozen officers in Goose Creek, South Carolina stormed through the halls of Stratford High School with guns drawn, forcing 107 students to lay on the floor and submit to a drug dog search. Students were commanded to get on their knees with their hands behind their head, students who did not respond quick enough…
A petition for honest sexual education is currently being circulated by a NYRA ally. The people responsible for the petition were hoping to have 50,000 signatures already, but they still encourage people to sign it. The petition, sponsored by Advocates for Youth, cites parallels between sexual education and drug education as reasoning to avoid a…
NYRA-Montgomery County’s “Petition of Voices” has begun circulation for the 03-04 school year. This petition, first started last year, calls upon all high schools in the Maryland county to create a student advocate position. This faculty member will defend students accused of violating school rules. In half-an-hour of petitioning the chapter collected 140 signatures outside…
Soon to join the strong DC Area NYRA network, a Montgomery County, Maryland chapter is in the works. NYRA member, Chris Apple, is finding support and setting up the inaugural meeting of NYRA-MC now. Chris began a petition drive this year called the Petition of Voices to push the Board of Education for adequate representation…
