TAMPA BAY, JANUARY 18, 2010 - Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered for his words, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,” as Youth for Human Rights Florida members marched in his honor, sponsored by the NAACP Clearwater/Upper Pinellas County Branch and the City of Clearwater. Some call it civil rights, others call it human rights, but regardless of what name one gives to it, people of different races, cultures and religions walked to represent Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of non-violent change for equality for all.

Youth for Human Rights Florida joined the walk carrying the banner, “What Are Human Rights” to bring awareness of all human rights and signs stating human rights such as “We Are All Born Free And Equal”, “No Discrimination”, “Freedom of Expression”, “Freedom of Education”, to name a few.

“Through his non-violent fighting for the rights of African Americans in America Martin Luther King Jr. not only brought equality to an entire race in America, but opened the door of equality for all people,” said Dustin McGahee, President of Youth for Human Rights Florida, who led his group of enthusiastic human rights advocates in the march. McGahee continued saying, “Martin Luther King Jr. believed, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,’ so we all need to speak up for equality, we all need to be active for equality, regardless of the color of our skin, regardless of any differences in beliefs.” McGahee became involved in educating others of their human rights as he is inspired to action by the words of human rights advocate, L. Ron Hubbard, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

Youth for Human Rights Florida educates people of all ages about their human rights, both in and out of the classroom. There are many ways to learn about human rights, but Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) a non-profit, secular organization founded in 2001 by educator Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, created an easy to understand video of each of the human rights designed for youth. In less than a minute the youth can learn one of their human rights. There is also a teacher’s guide for those educators. For more information on Youth for Human Rights and free DVD downloads on the 30 human rights go to www.youthforhumanrights.org.
To contact Youth for Human Rights Florida contact: dustin-AT-youthforhumanrightsflorida.org