This is YouthSpeak's First Monthly Newsletter to update you on the struggle for Youth Rights Around the World. We will update important youth rights news, tell you about important events going on, and let you know how you can help.
YouthSpeak is one of the world's largest, youth-led, youth rights organization. We are dedicated to working for youth rights, in particular a lower voting age, so that youth voices can be heard. Our web page is at http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/
NOW THE NEWS:
I. PROTESTS planned:
Major youth rights protests will be held on March 20, 1999 in Washington DC, New York City, Portland, and elsewhere. If you are interested in participating or helping organize these protests, please contact the following people:
1. DC: Jason Gerber at agerber@erols.com
2. New York City: Jason Kende at rabbit@oblivion.net
3. Portland: Tifnee Smith at tifnees@hotmail.com
Or Visit the following web page for more information: http://www.pcnet.com/~sendroff/curfew.htm
II. Membership Update:
YouthSpeak now has almost 500 members! Thanks to all of you who have joined. We have members from all over the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and parts of Asia.
III. What members can do:
Right now, we need grass roots organizing at the high school and college level. If you have friends who are interested in youth rights, form a group in your school or neighborhood. We also need people to write letters to the editor of your local newspaper. Anyone interested in getting involved please e-mail us at youthspeak@oblivion.net
IV: Monthly Meeting on-line
YouthSpeak will hold a monthly on-line meeting to plan for the youth rights struggle. The address for irc users is irc.quintex.com room: #youthspeak
The web address for java-compatible web-browsers is: www.quintex.com:8080 Again the room is #youthspeak.
The date is Wednesday, March 17, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. The meeting will last one hour.
V: Youth Voting Rights News
The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts FAILED to pass legislation to lower the voting age there to 16. The vote was 4-4.
In the United Kingdom this summer, Parliament will consider a voting age of 16. If you live in the UK, please e-mail or write your member of Parliament and tell them to support this proposal.
VI: Did you know?
In the past, America has let teens vote. Rhode Island in the 17th century had a voting age of 16, and Massachusetts of 17, but it only applied to men.
New Jersey, from about 1786-1806 had few voting restrictions. Women, African-Americans and many teens voted.
VII: Joining:
If any of your friends are interested in joining YouthSpeak, have them go to our web page at http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/, or they go directly to http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/join.html and fill out our simple form.
Until next month: Keep Struggling for Youth Rights!