In honor of the United Nations Human Rights Day, Dec 10th, hundreds walked across the Clearwater Memorial Bridge carrying signs and singing songs to forward the message, “Embrace Diversity – End Discrimination” in the first ever “International Walk for Human for Human Rights” organized by Youth for Human Rights Florida. It was a diverse group of youth from several cultures, religions, races, and educational levels that walked with signs representing the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights across Memorial Bridge.

The Clearwater walk represented the USA as part of this international effort in which thousands of youth from countries around the world across six continents walked on the same day. They walked not to fight a cause or to protest, but simply to bring awareness of the importance of human rights. This year’s message created by The United Nations of non-discrimination is based on human right number one, “We Are All Born Free and Equal”.

Countries all walking to honor Human Rights Day include, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Holland, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Zambia.

Dustin McGahee, President of Youth for Human Rights Florida and originator of the walk best described the event by saying, “Being part of an event where youth around the world are uniting against discrimination and promoting human rights brings excitement and hope that there can be change.”

In honor of this walk, and the efforts of all the youth to make it possible, The City of Clearwater and the City of Tampa proclaimed December 10, 2009, Youth for Human Rights Day.
Human Rights Awards Celebration followed the walk at the Fort Harrison Hotel, courtesy of the Church of Scientology. The Church’s founder L. Ron Hubbard, as humanitarian stated: “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream".
The celebration included Youth for Human Rights Awards based on 6 of the 30 human rights.
Myron Jackson, founder and African drummer of the Tampa Kuumba Dancers performed for the multi-cultural audience as he gave a little touch of Africa to the day.
Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a non-profit, secular organization founded in 2001 by educator Dr. Mary Shuttleworth.
For more information on The International Walk for Human Rights go to: www.internationalwalkforhumanrights.org