National Youth Rights Association

Description

The National Youth Rights Association is a youth-led American civil rights organization that fights age discrimination against young people.

It was formed in 1998 by young people who wanted to challenge age-based discrimination, modeling itself on other civil rights movements. It works on issues including the drinking age, the voting age, student rights, medical autonomy, parental oppression, juvenile justice, foster care and freedom of movement.

It has organized local chapters, called Nodes, across the United States and built a membership of tens of thousands. It has helped overturn anti-youth laws in several states, supported bills that expand young people’s rights, filed amicus briefs in federal court, and pushed businesses to drop age-discriminatory practices.

It trains members in activism, publishes a blog on youth rights issues, and offers ways for supporters to volunteer, join as members or start a local chapter. It is a nonprofit corporation registered in Maryland.