City of Los Angeles Proclaims Youth for Human Rights Day International - Human Rights News - Church of Scientology Human Rights Department

1 October 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY OF LOS ANGELES PROCLAIMS
YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY INTERNATIONAL
CELEBRATION AND INTERSCHOLASTIC YOUTH SUMMIT

(left to right) Leisa Goodman; Lynsey Bartilson, YHRI spokesperson; Mary Shuttleworth, Director YHRI and Rabbi Freehling, LA Human Relation Commission

In a ceremony co-organized by the Church of Scientology International, the City of Los Angeles has proclaimed October 1 as Youth for Human Rights Day International.

City officials, religious and human rights leaders and prominent artists made October 1 a day to remember for 600 young pupils from nine schools who attended the event at Los Angeles City Hall.

Lynsey Bartilson, Scientologist and star of the TV hit show “Grounded for Life”, acted as mistress of ceremonies. The students, accompanied by their teachers, came from the following schools in the Greater Los Angeles area:

Micheltorena Street School: Principal Brenda Lara
Mayberry Street School: Asst Principal Reyna Corral
New Horizon School: Principal Shahida Alikhan
Shuttleworth Academy: Principal Polly Matthes
Cheremoya Elementary School: Principal Chris Stehr
Los Feliz Elementary School: Principal Betty Castenada
Coliseum Elementary School: Principal Zo Jefferson
Renaissance Academy: Principal Ann Hazen
Kittridge Elementary School: Teacher Glenda Bensussen

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Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director, Church of Scientology International

The days events opened with the proclamation of Youth for Human Rights Day International on the south steps of City Hall and continued with an Interscholastic Youth Summit inside the building.

A 20-man award-winning drum band from Perry Middle School in the Greater Los Angeles area began the ceremonies, followed by a fine three part acappella rendering of The Star-Spangled Banner performed by Dominic Domingo, Jefferey Sanders and Ross Heintzkill. Two young artists, Justine Spraque and Chelsea Alden, sang “Youre the Voice,” while Joy Gracyan performed “Greater than the Sun.”

Speakers included Los Angeles City Council member Martin Ludlow, Mr. Sheeraz Hasan, President, Tinseltown TV and a YHRI Global Ambassador, a representative of Councilman Tom LaBonge, Ms. Eliane DeLeon from Councilmember Wendy Greuels office, Mr. Josh Kamensky from Councilman Eric Garcettis office, Mr. James Koopman from Congresswomen Diane Watsons office and Rabbi Allan Freehling, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission.

Councilman Ludlow gave a heartfelt speech about the value of human rights and how as a young African-American he had personally experienced discrimination.

Mary Shuttleworth, Director, Youth for Human Rights International, Michelle Seward, President, International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, and Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director, Church of Scientology International, also spoke. Ms. Goodman congratulated the City of Los Angeles for setting a fine example in promoting human rights and said that her church has made a commitment to help make Los Angeles the greatest human rights city in the world.

One of the schools is acknowledged

The Council members or their representatives presented Certificates of Recognition to the principals or teachers from each school, in acknowledgement of their efforts to educate their pupils in human rights.

The highlight of the event was a presentation from Rabbi Freehling of a Proclamation from Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, officially declaring October 1st as Youth for Human Rights International Day.

The celebration ended with all 600 students joining singer Shannon Roberts and young rapper Lai Lai for the song, “Free and Equal.”

The students then took part in an Interscholastic Youth Summit. Speakers included Rabbi Freehling and Ms. Donna Smith, Valley Deputy for Board of Education member John Lauritzen. The summit featured a contest in which the pupils wrote essays about the importance of human rights.

The celebration and human rights summit created an atmosphere of excitement and interest in future work to develop further human rights initiatives.

Co-organizers of the event with the Church were Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) and the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance.