More Youth Rights Protests on May 15; What you can do to help the youth rights movement
This is YouthSpeak's second 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 ARE A SUCCESS! NEXT PROTESTS ON SATURDAY MAY 15:
Major youth rights protests were held on March 20, 1999 in Washington DC, Portland, Oregon and elsewhere. The protests in Portland drew over 50 people in protest against curfews. The protest in DC drew several enthusiastic youth rights supporters to the steps of the Capitol.
The protesters will return to the Capitol on Saturday, May 15 from Noon until 4 PM. If you would like to attend or help organize the DC protest, please contact Jason Gerber at agerber@erols.com
II. Membership Update:
YouthSpeak now has 555 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 YOU can do to help the youth rights movement:
The next year is the most important time for the youth rights movement around the world. We have support from people of all ages, but we need active involvement to make our voices heard. Here are some things you can do to help the movement grow:
1. Form a youth rights group at your school:
If you can get 5 or 10 friends together, you can form a youth rights group at your school or outside of school. It's NOT hard to do. For more information on how, go to our organizing page at http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/organize.html
2. organize a protest:
We will be having several protest dates throughout the year. Talk to your friends, and family and see how many people would be interested in having a protest against curfews and for a lower voting age. For more information, visit our protest page at http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/protest.html
3. Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper:
Your local newspaper will publish your letter in support of youth rights. For more information on how to write a letter to the editor, go to our web page at http://www.oblivion.net/youthspeak/lte.html
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, April 14, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. The meeting will last one hour.
V: Did you know?
Teenagers earn over $100 billion dollars a year. Many pay federal and state income taxes but CANNOT vote if they are under 18. Taxation without representation violates the fundamental principles of American Democracy.
VI: 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!