A few years ago, a high school student named Joseph Frederick was punished for unfurling a banner that read “bong hits 4 Jesus” and subsequently quoting Thomas Jefferson to his principal. He sued, and won, but the principal brought the case to the Supreme Court. The principal (and her lawyers, who include Ken Starr) is…
Every summer NYRA elects a new board of directors, and holds an annual meeting. NYRA’s last annual meeting in San Francisco brought together NYRA members from throughout the country. They heard from some excellent speakers, heard NYRA’s Executive Director read the annual report, and had a good time. This year the annual meeting will be…
For the past several years, DC has had a youth curfew. Young people in the District of Columbia can be arrested simply for leaving their homes. NYRA was recently contacted by Najmah Rashad, who runs Go-Go club events for young people in DC. She serves no alcohol at the events, and has never had any…
Washington Councilmember Jim Graham has introduced legislation that will essentially ban young people from DC nightclubs and concert venues. While Councilmember Graham is pursuing a far more palatable version of the bill, as it stands now the legislation will “prevent the entrance of persons under the age of 21 into alcoholic beverage control licensed nightclubs,…
The third annual NYRAthon began on March 2nd, and will continue through the second of June. NYRAthon consists of two contests. The first is a contest between individuals, with prizes awarded to the three who raise the most money. The second is between the various NYRA chapters, with $100 in NYRA merchandise awarded to the…
Some forms of corporal punishment may soon be a thing of the past if a new bill introduced in the California legislature is successful. Introduced by California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, the bill will make spanking in any form or fashion of a child up to age 4 a misdemeanor. Spanking also sends the message that…
Austria may soon be the first European nation to lower its national voting age to 16. The proposal to lower the age comes from Austria’s “grand coalition” of Social Democrats and the conservative People’s Party following elections on Oct. 1. Currently 16 year olds are able to vote for local elections in many major cities,…
After moving in to its office, NYRA’s first task was hiring interns. After a brief search two excellent interns were found and began work on February 2. The interns were initially arranged by the Howard Gardner school in Virginia, an alternative high school that gives students time on Friday to pursue internships. Luke Remchuk, a…
NYRA is on track for meeting its goal of 12 new, active chapters this year with the official formation of NYRA-Watkins Glen and the NYRA-Pensacola Brigade. Based in upstate New York, NYRA-Watkins Glen has already enjoyed some early press coverage in the local paper, the Review & Express. Watkins Glen held a debate in conjunction…
NYRA Director Katrina Moncure recently sent holiday cards, along with information about NYRA, to several youth rights activists, and many dozens of politicians who have taken youth rights friendly positions in the past. The cards looked wonderful, and Katrina sent them at great personal expense. This sort of thing helps NYRA establish important connections and…
