Disclaimer: Content on the YP4 blog does not necessarily reflect the views of Young People For or People For the American Way Foundation. The views, ideas, statements or claims posted on this site by members of the public cannot in any way be attributed to either Young People For or People For the American Way Foundation.
Why the National Conversation on Immigration Reform Is about My Family
I am a 24-year-old, proud Floridian. My parents came to the U.S. from Colombia many years ago, looking for a safe and opportunity-rich place to raise their daughters. From the time I was a toddler, I have spent my whole life here in Florida.
Planned Parenthood is looking for Interns
Please check out Planned Parenthood Federation of America's paid summer internships below. These are phenomenal opportunities for young leaders to continue doing the work of social justice, learn skills, and get paid! PPFA is seeking folks to work in nearly every part of the organization in both the New York and DC offices – including the Youth Organizing Team.
One Death Is Too Many: Why We Need Gun Violence Prevention Reforms
Originally posted at Huffington Post
By Jamira Burley
Broken Hearts: The Future of the U.S. Labor Movement
By Arianna Schindle, 2008 YP4 Fellow & 2012 Alumni Board Member
The US labor movement and our country’s social safety net remain hanging from a thread. As the month of love nears its end, it will take new campaigns and visions to create a movement that can heal my broken heart.
Missouri Brings Voter ID Back from the Dead
Last week, Missouri’s House of Representatives attempted to resuscitate a failed voter ID law, approving two bills that would require voters to present valid, government-issued photo identification in order to vote. One of the bills would call for a November 2014 ballot measure to amend the state constitution to permit a voter ID requirement, and the other would implement the requirement if the measure were to pass.
Federal education vouchers funding creationism curricula
Federally funded private school voucher and tax credit programs are more numerous than ever. In its School Choice Yearbook 2012-2013, the Alliance for School Choice reported that $553 million of taxpayer dollars are funding 245,854 K-12 vouchers, an average of $5,686 per student.
Whatever Affects One Woman, Affects ALL Women
Election Protection: Our Broken Voting System and How to Repair It
Desiline Victor, you are not alone.
A report released on February 12, 2013 by the Election Protection coalition, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, pledges to address the “endemic yet solvable problems [that] continue to plague our system of elections and prevent too many eligible voters from fully participating in our democracy.”
Restrictions in Early Voting and Voter Registration Used for Partisan Gain
The past two years saw a dramatic rise in states attempting to enact voter suppression, the impact of which was certainly felt on Election Day. Under the guise of combating voter fraud and saving money, we saw strong pushes for ID and early voting and voter registration restrictions.
Florida was among the worst offenders.
UPDATE: Reported Voting Troubles
UPDATE: Shortly after the election, several voting rights advocacy groups released reports or statements detailing problems voters encountered at the polls. Demos put out a report describing how all the various voter suppression tactics affected the 2012 election. The American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement addressing the problems voters faced and the steps that should be taken to prevent future problems. Project Vote also released a statement praising diligent voters for overcoming adverse voting circumstances.