YouthSpeak Media Release
Young People Demand Universal Suffrage throughout the United States!
Event Marks First Time Youth Protest Right To Vote. Hein calls First Operation Register "An Historic Event"
Rockville MD, May 23, 1998:
May 22, 1998 marked the first time in history that young people (under 18) publicly protested to demand the right to vote. Youth in Santa Monica (CA), Ayer & Boston (MA), and Suttons Bay (MI) protested for the right to vote. These protests, dubbed "Operation Register" were organized by the Maryland-based organization, YouthSpeak.YouthSpeak was founded in February 1997 by Avi Hein when Hein was just 15. YouthSpeak is one of the nations largest youth rights organization, with over 200 members of all ages, from across the United States and several countries. YouthSpeak supports the right of young people to make individual political choices. YouthSpeak is committed to peaceful, legal, grassroots protests as well as legislative action and legal challenges to age discrimination in voting.
The events mark the first nationwide challenges to the 18-year old voting age. Says Keith Mandell, National Coordinator for Operation Register, "Some day these small protests will
go down in history as the first step toward youth voting rights." Says President and Founder, Avi Hein, "Yesterday’s event marked the first time youth spoke out and demanded suffrage. I am pleased at the outcome of the nation’s first Operation Register campaign. I believe that this showed that youth truly are interested in the political process and want to be heard. Despite what people may say, political interest is still alive."
The next Operation Register is scheduled for July 9, 1998. Phase I of Operation Register will conclude on Election Day 1998.
The following is a report from Santa Monica Coordinator on that protest:
On Friday, May 22nd, over 25 young people, ages 13 to 17, from
local schools gathered in front of the Midnight Special Bookstore on Santa
Monica's Third Street Promenade to participate in Operation Register, a
national campaign to lower the legal voting age. The protest was organized
locally by AMP, the Association of Minor Persons, an organization made up
of minors and adult supporters committed to promoting the rights, interests
and voices of young people in the United States. Protesters carried signs
and handed out information, drawing a small crowd of interested adults and
young people. At least thirty people stopped by to ask questions. Many
expressed their support and many stopped simply to express their complete
opposition. One older woman told a young protester, "I don't vote and you
shouldn't either." The protest sparked several lively debates about what
constitutes a good voter, whether or not the United States is a true
democracy, and what can be done to make the country a better place for
young people. Several young children were particularly intrigued by the
whole event. One young man was eager to sign a petition. When he heard
that the voting age limit might be lowered to ten-years-old, he said
excitedly, "Great. That means I'll be able to vote next year."
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