== NYRA Freedom ==
ISSN 1933-5229
Volume 10, Issue 9
September 15, 2010
Editors: Julian Gutierrez, Jackie Ferro, Emily Sanders
Publisher: David Moss
== Contents ==
– The Mosquito’s Sting
– Election Day Events Across the Country
– What’s Your Ah-Ha Moment?
– Thanks West Palm Beach Police Department!
– National Youth Listening Tour
– NYRA is Expanding on Campus
– NYRA is looking for Fall Interns
– Calendar
– Blog
– News
== The Mosquito’s Sting ==
Washington, D.C. – We have once again seen a petty attempt to harass young people manifest itself in the form of a recent installation of the infamous “Mosquito” device at a public location. The Mosquito is a high-frequency sonic emitter that causes irritation and pain to younger listeners, who typically have a more heightened sense of hearing than their elders. Aside from the usual offense and insensitivity of installing a device that will not discriminate between good and bad youths, and is favored on the presumption that youths are the exclusive perpetrators of crime, this latest installation is particularly ridiculous because it is located outside the Chinatown entrance to the Gallery Place Metro station, placed there in response to complaints by Gallery Place business owners. As a result, young people, already disproportionate users of public transportation, are now forced to endure annoying high-pitched noise when attempting to enter one of the city’s busiest metro stations. NYRA and NYRA-DC are dismayed by this action, and will fight to overturn it.
== Election Day Events Across the Country ==
On November 2nd, the 2010 election will be occurring across the nation. The only people voting will be Americans 18 and older. For citizens eligible to vote, election day is a reminder of the triumph of democracy and positive reinforcement of their rights. But for many of America’s youth and supporters of NYRA, election day is a strong reminder of the rights they are denied as American citizens.
Some chapters, such as NYRA-Nanuet, are in the process of planning events at their polling place to emphasize NYRA’s effort to lower the voting age. Other chapters will be holding similar events around the country to stand up for youth rights.
Any and all NYRA members can help. You can plan a rally or similar event on election day or work to inform your classmates, co-workers and friends about the concept of youth rights. Anyone can help us take a step towards a lower voting age and we’ll only get there one step at a time. As a supporter of youth rights, all NYRA members should make November 2nd a day to promote a lower voting age. By encouraging action in your community, you can help take NYRA even further in our efforts to protect and defend youth rights.
Also on November 2, oral arguments in the Schwarzenegger v. EMA case will be heard at the US Supreme Court. This case will determine whether young people have a Constitutional right to play violent video games and could have far reaching consequences. NYRA is planning a rally in front of the Supreme Court to highlight the intersection of free speech rights and voting rights. NYRA members in the DC area interested in participating are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the national office by e-mailing nyra at youthrights.org.
== What’s Your Ah-Ha Moment? ==
NYRA staff receive e-mails all the time from people discovering the movement for the first time. Everyone seems to have very similar reactions, “Wow! I’ve supported youth rights for years, but thought I was the only one!” or “Something always seemed a bit off about how youth were treated, but I never thought of it much till I read your site, my eyes were totally opened!”
One way or another, everyone who supports the cause seems to have a story to tell about how they first got involved, or first realized the importance of this issue. At NYRA’s Annual Meeting, several board members sat around at a DC pizza joint sharing stories of our own Youth Rights Ah-Ha Moments. Go here to hear our stories and experiences:
http://youthrights.org/ahhamoment.php
We want to hear yours! Please make a video of yourself telling the story of when you first discovered the youth rights movement, or when you first realized that young people were systematically discriminated against. Upload the video to YouTube and call it [Your Name]’s Youth Rights Ah-Ha Moment, then send us the link! E-mail us at: nyra at youthrights.org
== Thanks West Palm Beach Police Department! ==
NYRA-SEFL’s State lawsuit against West Palm Beach’s discriminatory curfew law turned a potential bad development into a good one last week. Since plaintiff Jeffrey Nadel had never actually been arrested or warned for violating the curfew his standing for the lawsuit was in question. Feeling that giving up was not an option, he and fellow NYRA-SEFL members walked straight into City Place in the dead of night. It didn’t take long before security officers and police stopped them and gave them written warnings for being young. The warnings were accompanied by sneers, snide remarks, and second-hand smoke. Now that Nadel has been directly impacted by the West Palm Beach curfew law, proving that NYRA-SEFL has standing should be no problem. NYRA wishes to take this opportunity to thank security guards at City Place as well as Sargeant Frank DiStefano of the West Palm Beach Police Department for helping us overturn this discriminatory law. We couldn’t have done it without you!
== National “Youth Voices” Listening Tour ==
This year, the U.S. Department of Education is taking a step in the right direction by starting a National Youth Listening. The project is run by NYRA ally and ed.gov’s Director of Community Outreach Alberto Retana. The purpose of the tour is to get feedback from community partners and, in particular, students. This is a great opportunity for NYRA members to share their thoughts about public school directly with a sympathetic ear at the Department of Education. Please let us know (by e-mailing nyra@youthrights.org or calling 202-296-2992 ext. 131) if you’d like to attend any of the stops on the Tour and share your opinions with the Department. All NYRA members are welcome and encouraged to do so.
National “Youth Voices” Listening Tour Stops
Boston, MA
September 21, 2010
4:00pm-7:00pm
Harriet Tubman House
566 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
Los Angeles, CA
October 7, 2010
4:30pm-7:00pm
Location: TBD
Seattle, WA
October 12, 2010
3:30pm-6:00pm
Location: TBD
Oakland, CA
October 19, 2010
6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: TBD
Newark, NJ
November 6, 2010
10:00am -2:00pm
Rutgers University
Paul Robeson Campus Center
350 Martin Luther King Blvd
Newark, NJ 07102
= NYRA is Expanding on Campus ==
NYRA is pleased to welcome NYRA-AU (American University) to our family of chapters. NYRA and American University have a long history. Our first chapter was formed there by current Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz when he was a student. It has come and gone several times over the last few years. The current iteration of NYRA-AU is being run by American University first year student and NYRA member Dakota David. Dakota was familiar with the organization while in high school, and this summer when she visited our table at a Vans Warped Tour stop in Maryland she renewed her support for the cause. NYRA is also looking to expand to New York University, the effort to start a chapter at NYU is being led by Usiel Phoenix who serves on the board of directors for NYRA. Having campus based chapters in two of the world’s most influential cities is a great development for NYRA. We look forward to great things from both groups.
== NYRA is looking for Fall Interns ==
Interns are a crucial part of the work done at NYRA’s national office. We rely on our interns to promptly complete important research projects, compile accurate and detailed lists and reports, direct media projects, manage outreach to new members and chapters and to help with administrative work. In keeping with our mission, we expect all of our interns, regardless of their age or education level, to perform responsibly at a highly mature and professional level.
-Manage Projects for the improvement and expansion of the organization
-Assist with fundraising
-Outreach to high schools and colleges to find new members and chapter leaders
– Strengthen leadership and organizing skills, learn how non-profit organizations and grassroots advocacy campaigns work
Qualifications:
Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communications skills, and strong online research skills. The ability to work efficiently and independently is important. Enthusiasm for youth rights and commitment to lowering the voting and drinking ages is a must. Candidates should be computer savvy and comfortable on the phone. Experience organizing school clubs or chapters and working with volunteers preferred. This internship is perfect for motivated individuals able to take on responsibility who want substantive duties that will provide real job experience.
Application instructions:
Please submit cover letter, resume and a writing sample of your choice to dmoss at youthrights.org
== Calendar ==
Board Meeting – TBA
In the NYRA chatroom on AIM
September 16 – #16toVote on the 16th
All Day – Tweet about the voting age and include the hashtag #16toVote
September 21 – Informal Chat
8 pm – 12 am Eastern
In the NYRA chatroom on AIM
IM SciVille if you need an invite
== Blog ==
EMA Brief Released in Schwarzenegger Video Game Case
http://blog.youthrights.org/2010/09/10/ema-brief-released-in-schwarzenegger-video-game-case/
Adult Supporters and Privilege
http://blog.youthrights.org/2010/08/20/adult-supporters/
== News ==
===NYRA Related===
Sin Respeto por el toque de queda
http://www.impre.com/noticias/2010/9/10/sin-respeto-por-el-toque-de-qu-209800-1.html
===Other News===
Georgia Congressman Wants Drinking Age Lowered on Military Posts
http://www.wrdw.com/politics/headlines/102828479.html
Support Strong to Lower Drinking Age for Military
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/11/support-strong-lower-drinking-age-military/
Old Enough to Fight but Not Drink?
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21340-Old-enough-to-fight-but-not-to-drink-Congressman-wants-to-lower-on-base-drinking-age
Baby slapping aboard Southwest Flight sets off Debate
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21347-Baby-slapping-aboard-Southwest-flight-sets-off-debate.
Mosquito Device at Gallery Place aims to annoy potential troublemakers
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21336-Mosquito-noise-device-at-Gallery-Place-aims-to-annoy-potential-troublemakers
Facebook Suit: Teens Too Young to “Like”
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21313-Facebook-Suit-Teens-Too-Young-to-Like
Child’s Ordeal Shows Risks of Psychosis Drugs for Young
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21329-Child%E2%80%99s-Ordeal-Shows-Risks-of-Psychosis-Drugs-for-Young
Older People Like Reading Negative Stories About Youth
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21325-Older-people-enjoy-reading-negative-stories-about-young
Enforceable curfew needed for Binghamton residents say
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21321-Enforceable-curfew-needed-for-Binghamton-residents-say
State to Pursue Child Porn Charges Against Teen Accused of Sexting
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21320-State-to-Pursue-Child-Porn-Charges-Against-Teen-Accused-of-Sexting
I <3 Boobies Bracelet Leads to Suspensions
http://forums.youthrights.org/showthread.php?21317-Rocklin-quot-I-heart-boobies-quot-bracelet-controversy-leads-to-boy-s-suspension
