Youth for Human Rights Hold Petition Drive at Nashville MLK Events

Youth for Human Rights receives scores of signatures for petition to implement Universal Declaration of Human Rights on MLK Day.

For nearly 15 years, Youth for Human Rights International has taught young people about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspired them to become advocates for tolerance and peace. YHRI has now grown into a global movement, including hundreds of groups, clubs and chapters around the world.

The Nashville Chapter has events throughout the year to bring awareness to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and promote the articles therein. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, volunteers held a petition signing event during the annual celebratory march and convocation at Tennessee State University. 

YHRI Chapters are petitioning local, state and national governments to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more broadly known by actually teaching it in schools. At the MLK Celebration, volunteers were able to get scores of signatures toward this cause.

Youth for Human Rights provides a wide array of educational materials at no cost to educators including the UNITED music video—a street-savvy, multiethnic, anti-bullying message that has captured the imagination of people around the world, 30 short public service announcements that depict all of the Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the What Are Human Rights? booklets, and a complete educational curriculum. The YHRI videos have garnered media attention as well, airing on television networks in countries worldwide.

“Our goal is to make human rights known and understood so that no one will be subject to abuses any more,” says Julie Brinker, regional coordinator for YHRI. Brinker said the MLK events were a success, not only in terms of petitions signed, but in terms of people reached who now know about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To find out how to participate in local events or to receive materials, send an email to [email protected] or for more information on Youth for Human Rights, visit youthforhumanrights.com.