NYRA Freedom

ISSN 1933-5229

Volume 7, Issue 3

March 12, 2007

Contents:

Introduction
NYRAthon Underway
Membership Levels
DC Club Ban
DC Curfew
Annual Meeting and Election
News from the Web
Conclusion

Introduction

The past month has been an interesting one for NYRA, and it looks like a lot of great things will happen in March. NYRA’s annual fundraiser has begun, and we have high hopes that the NYRA membership will contribute as generously as it has in the past. NYRA is staunchly opposed to and actively fighting DC’s curfew, and a proposal that will essentially ban all people under the age of eighteen from DC nightclubs. NYRA has scheduled its annual meeting, an important event where youth rights activists get to meet face to face and review NYRA’s progress over the past year.

NYRAthon Underway

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 one that raises the most money. Fundraising is what allows NYRA to lease an office, hire staff, and ultimately what allows NYRA to function as an organization that fights for youth rights. It is imperative that everyone who can participate in the NYRAthon.

The NYRA chapter that raises the most money will receive $100 in NYRA merchandise (T shirts, buttons, etc.) In the individual contest, prizes of $100, $50, and $25 will be awarded to the people who raise the most money.

All money should be sent to NYRA headquarters at:
NYRA
1133 19th St., NW
9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036

Or donate online: http://www.youthrights.org/donate.php

Membership Levels

In the past, NYRA has only had one level of membership. Member dues were $10, and had to be renewed every year regardless of how much money someone had initially donated. Now NYRA members have the option of buying memberships for one year, two years, three years, four years, five years, or life. A one year membership costs $10, two years costs $20, and so on. A lifetime membership costs $150. If you’re not yet a member and would like to become one, check out http://www.youthrights.org/membership.php.

DC Club Ban

Washington Councilmember Jim Graham has introduced legislation that will essentially ban young people from DC nightclubs. While NYRA has heard that Councilmember Graham may be 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, or into licensed establishments with entertainment endorsements after 11:00 p.m.”

Councilmember Graham’s legislation was drafted in response to the death of a 17 year old woman at a nightclub in DC, and NYRA is sure that he has nothing but good intentions. We do, however, take issue with the fact that this bill will limit the civil rights of young people. In addition to NYRA, several nightclub owners and community organizations are opposed to the bill as it currently stands. NYRA’s Executive Director has attended meetings with Councilmember Graham, and we hope that some reasonable compromise can be reached.

DC Curfew

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 serious problems, yet the police will wait outside and arrest young people for curfew violations. She was so upset that she organized a media event in which NYRA participated. The media event was a success, and NYRA hopes to work toward building a coalition of civil rights groups and community leaders to fight the DC curfew.

Annual Meeting and Election

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 held on July 28th in Washington DC. The board election will begin on June 28th. Anyone interested in attending the meeting should send an email to nyra@youthrights.org. Some housing will be available. If you would like to vote in the board of directors election, or run for the board of directors, but you are not currently a member, please visit http://www.youthrights.org/membership.php.

News from the Web

Teens tell about on-the-job dangers
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10305

Study: Violent videogames don’t make killers
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10296

‘That’s so gay’ prompts student lawsuit
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10264

Gen Y’s ego trip takes a nasty turn
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10263

High school students bored, risk dropping out: survey
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10262

Aunt’s Whipping of Boy in Class Investigated
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10254

Gen Y turning into Gen Ego
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10253

Students forced to clean school with toothbrush
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10251

Assembly Gives 14-Year-Olds A Say on Key Medical Care
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10233

U.S. Schools Weigh Extending Their Hours
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10227

Are you deaf? Can’t you hear that ringtone?
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10220

Fox to air “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” game show
http://www.youthrights.org/article.php?threadid=10213

Conclusion

It seems that ageism is particularly rampant in the District of Columbia. NYRA hopes to allay some of that ageism, through fighting the curfew and any attempt to ban young people from night clubs. NYRA is also in the midst of its annual fundraiser, which is essential to its financial well being. All members are encouraged to participate. NYRA has also scheduled its annual meeting, a great chance to see what NYRA has been working on and meet other youth rights activists.