What's Happening Now:
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The Marshmallow Test or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Sex Education!
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The Census Matters To The Hood WI LYVEF's Shahn Hayes on why the census matters in Milwaukee
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Immigrant Youth Speak Out! Check out Maine Leaguer Jenna Vendil's blog about immigrant youth speaking out for equal education!
theleague.com
LYVEF takes a stand for Youth Employment!
Check out this hysterical video from our sister organization, the League of Young Voters Education Fund. Last week the Senate voted to defeat a proposition that would have provided $1.3 billion for summer jobs for young people. LYVEF is pushing back with their petition, which has already garnered hundreds of signatures.
Click here to urge your representatives to Lead on Youth Employment!
How does the League make endorsements?
The San Francisco League is busy gearing up for the June 8th, 2010 election. In the meantime, we thought you might be interested to know how the Pissed Off Voter Guide endorsements get made: "The SF League's endorsement process starts with the Political Education and Action Committee, AKA PEAC. PEAC is made up of volunteers..." Click through for details!
HBox's Goodbye Grassroots Donor Drive!
On Feb 15th the League will say goodbye to one of our strongest voices: Heather Box, our Development Director, Interim Deputy Director, and friend. If you're down with the League, if you've ever been touched by Heather's passion, her vision, or her dreams, then celebrate her work with a contribution to the organization so near to her heart! Donate to Hbox's Goodbye Campaign:
Your vote can keep kids out of jail
Our sister org, the League of Young Voters Education Fund, contributed an idea to Change.org's Ideas for Change in America Competition.
Their entry is an endorsement of the Youth PROMISE Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that can counter the debilitating effects of over-incarceration on urban American youth.
Helping our Haitian Brothers and Sisters
Most of the world is following the recovery efforts in Haiti after a massive earthquake killed thousands of people and upset much of the country's infrastructure. If you can help, please do, and to make the most of your efforts, the White House Office of Public Engagement released some excellent information on ways to contribute the Haiti's rebuilding, all of which you can read right here. This is our story, too. The global community has the power to heal. Click here to help Haiti recover.
2 Movement Makers: Grace Boggs and Biko
Flashback: the DNC Convention, 2008. The League's E.D. Biko Baker was on the scene to see Barack Obama get the Democratic Party's Presidential Nomination. Inspired, Biko sent an email to everyone on the League's mailing list. One of the people that received it is legendary activist Grace Boggs, who was so moved that she decided to publish Biko's words in her new book about the youth movement. How cool is that?
We're Hiring! New Media Organizer
We're looking for a smart, funny, dedicated and pop-culturally literate New Media Organizer to join the well-oiled social justice machine that is The League of Young Voters. Click on the link above to check out the job description. Deadline to apply: January 31st, 2010.
Biko Baker in Yes! Magazine: "Speak Up!"
League E.D. Biko Baker wrote an inspirational piece about our responsibility to defend our generation's leaders in this quarter's issue of Yes! Magazine, inspired by the Van Jones controversy: Check the full story in the Winter '10 Climate Action issue of Yes!
Don't be afraid to speak up and let the administration know that you aren't going to tolerate our leaders getting picked off... our generation can't afford to let our leaders become martyrs.
The League is talking Clean Energy w/ the White House
Click the title or right here to check out some video from the event over at Whitehouse.gov!On December 2nd, 2009, Biko Baker and Charlotte Chinana represented from the White House Youth Clean Energy forum.
Tell Nancy Pelosi to Speak for Equality
The League is joining with organizations around the country to demand full federal equality for all people in this country... And we know that kind of leadership can only come from the top.
Act NOW for Women's Reproductive Rights
The Stupak Amendment to the House Health Care Bill is antiquated and anti-choice. We have can not allow such a blatant attack on women's reproductive rights to make its way into the Senate Health Care legislation.Please take action: tell your Senator we need Pro-Choice Health Reform!
ALL IS NOT LOST…MAINE
by Joshua Fahiym Ratcliffe To say it was sad day for the LGBT community on November 4th was an
understatement. Here’s a community, tax-paying citizens I might add,
whose rights (or lack thereof), as a result of their bi-weekly paycheck
deductions to the Federal government and their respective states
deserve more than just politically-correct lip service – at the very
least.
Read More
We're Counting On A Kick Ass Climate Bill!
Check out this hysterical video from Friends Of The Earth and Agit Pop Communications about the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill and the environment...it's worth a quick view.
"I’m just a bill, a lonely energy bill. I need a friend up here on Capitol Hill..."
Equal Rights: A struggle to be see not as Equal, but as Us
Moni'ca Brown on Equality in America: History has shown again and again, that to be truly equal, we
must be seen as equal. This isn't found in laws and legislature, but in
the eyes of those who live next to you, walk beside you in the subway,
on the streets, and stand next to you in line at the grocery store.
Equality is having those all around you look at you and see You. read more
The Day After the Election
"Truly, it's been an amazing year
for The League and for Maine. We proved that young people don't just
vote during hot Presidential races ... [they] are committed to the
issues that impact our lives and improve our communities.
ME League Field Director
In Maine, Young Voter Turnout Is Key!
Passage of TABOR II, Parnell said, would only "make tough times tougher – and that burden is really going to be falling onto our shoulders." And the effort to overturn same-sex marriage? "It's our generation's civil rights moment," she replied.
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With the election in Maine just one day away, the League's Maine State Director Harris Parnell delivers a fascinating interview with the Portland Press Herald. Check it!
Shut Up, Windmill!
Our sister org., the League of Young Voters Education Fund, just dropped this hot new video highlighting the danger and absurdity of Clean Coal as a 'new' energy solution. We know what America and the world needs: real solutions, and fresh ideas. That's why LYVEF has partnered with 1sky to make it easy for you to call your Senator and demand bold climate and energy legislation! If we stop pushing, Polluters win, and the Earth loses.
Call your Senator Today!
It's Time To Deliver!
Hey, can you do our generation a solid? Can you take a couple of minutes to
make three quick calls?
We all know the stats: Young adults between ages 18 and 29 are the most
uninsured age group in the country. In fact, one out of every three of us (18-29
year olds) doesn’t have health care coverage. Pretty crazy... but you know what’s
crazier? Letting insurance company lobbyists decide what ends up in the final
bill. So call NOW!
Equal Education for Immigrant Youth
Check out Maine Leaguer Jenna Vendil's new blog: "As The League became more involved on the issue of educational equity, it became increasingly clear that young voices, especially immigrant experiences, had been left out of the debate around education in our schools. These are the stories that need to be heard firsthand by our elected school officials and education leaders..."
MEA Lightning Rod Award goes to…..
Campaign Against Violence(CAV) State Director, Jayme Montgomery accepted Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) Lighting Rod Award on behalf of CAV, Making Milwaukee Green Coalition (MMGC) and Keep Public Our Water(KPOW). MEA, who celebrated its 10 year for environmental justice, provides the kind of lawyers and expertise Wisconsin communities need to effectively protect the air we breathe and the water. Read More
