TAMPA BAY – MARCH 9, 2010 - “Youth are the voice of today” was the message spoken to hundreds of youth and adults alike by President of Youth for Human Rights Florida, Dustin McGahee, at the Human Rights Walkathon at North Straub Park in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

“This year is special for us,” nineteen-year-old McGahee reminded the youth in the audience, “as the United Nations proclaimed 2010 The International Year of the Youth. So, this is the beginning of the time for us, the youth of today, to raise our voices and make a difference.”

Inspired by the United Nations Human Rights Day message to “Embrace Diversity – End Discrimination” based on human right for equality for all, McGahee ended his message by saying, “We, the youth of today, are the voice to see that these rights are put into action for all people, and not left as mere words on a page. We, the youth of today, are the voice to speak out against injustice, to end discrimination and the voice for all youth to say, we are all born free and equal.”

Voices were raised as hundreds of people of different ages, race, religion, and culture walked to create awareness of the importance of human rights. Human rights advocate, and singer-songwriter David Pomeranz joined Dustin McGahee and the Youth for Human Rights Florida group as they chanted and walked around North Straub park.

Keynote speaker was Reverend Alfreddie Johnson, Founder of True Faith Christian Center in Compton, California; CEO and Founder of the World Literacy Crusade; and Founder of Men Who Care. Other speakers were: James Marcus Evans, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player and currently Founder and Executive Director of Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, Inc.; Anna I. Rodriquez, Founder of Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking; and Linda Drazkowski, President of The Human Rights Group Inc.
After walking the crowd was entertained by many outstanding artists highlighted by David Pomeranz, whose songs and recordings have sold over 35 million copies worldwide, earning him a total of 18 Gold and 22 Platinum records and MC Lyte, one of the most respected female Hip Hop artists of today. Also performing was The Dundu Dole Urban African Ballet, Alyssa Suede and Hana-Li.
The fourth annual Walkathon is produced by The Human Rights Group, Inc., co-sponsored by The City of Saint Petersburg. Three major partners lending their support for this year’s event were Youth for Human Rights Florida, Tampa Bay Academy of Hope and the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

Youth for Human Rights Florida is a chapter of Youth for Human Rights International, a secular organization with the purpose to educate about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, both in and out of the classroom. The organization has a wide range of educational materials created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of The Church of Scientology International.

As humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard stated, "Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream."

To find out about your 30 human rights go to: www.youthforhumanrights.org
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