YAI 2009 a Success!
Carrie Rheingans, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The 2009 Youth ACTION Institute was a huge success! Running from June 22 – June 27, over 20 youth from across the country and the globe attended the 2009 YAI. The highlight of the week was the Friday demonstration against budget cuts in the city of San Francisco and the state of California. Throughout the week, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops that focused on specific skills needed to carry out an action, and many of the skills were tied to planning the demonstration.
We met with Angela Green, the director of the Iris Center in San Francisco, on Monday afternoon. She described the work of the Iris Center and the difficulties they will have providing services if more budget cuts go through. After an energetic brainstorming session, the entire group decided we’d do a demonstration at the end of the week as the first step in many throughout the summer to protest the budget cuts. Angela was there with us on Friday, and many people in the plaza where we demonstrated asked for more information and wanted to get involved. Overall, it was a great week!
Prince, Justin and Karisma at the demonstration
