The People's Record

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Students to Take Action at Presidential Debate

Contact: Steven Pargett

The Dream Defenders

www.dreamdefenders.org

pargett@gmail.com

Phone 951 310 9310

Students and Youth to Take Action Challenging Final Presidential Debate

Students from across the State aim to change the debate around the criminalization of nation’s youth

Boca Raton, FL – On October 22nd, 2012, at the site of the final presidential debate, Dream Defenders will be protesting the candidates’ refusal to address youth issues. The Dream Defenders, a diverse group of students from all across Florida, formed after the death of Trayvon Martin demand to “change the debate”. This continued effort is a part of their ongoing “#ChangeTheDebate” campaign, an attempt by the group and allied community organizations seeking answers from the presidential candidates on their strategies to deal with the ongoing crisis of mass youth criminalization.

WHO: Dream Defenders, a group of students and youth from Tallahassee, FL, Orlando, FL, Tampa, FL, Gainesville, FL and Miami, FL, battling racial and educational injustice

WHAT: Non-violent Direct action at the Presidential debate highlighting the candidates’ refusal to address issues impacting students and youth

WHEN: Monday, October 22nd at 7:30 PM

WHERE: N. Military Trail & NW 51st Street Boca Raton, FL

The Dream Defenders are frustrated with Florida’s problematic choice to invest in the incarceration of youth, instead of their education. Florida currently ranks third in funding for corrections, while ranking 49th in the country for its funding of education. Students are facing harsh school environments that boast strict zero-tolerance policies, with 67% of student referrals to the juvenile justice system being nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. Studies show that this trend of mass incarceration disproportionately affects youth of color. African-American youth make up only 16% of the nation’s overall juvenile population but account for 45% of juvenile arrests.

“There is a war on youth going on right now. Our generation is being deported, incarcerated, and labeled criminals. We need a real debate on the issues that matter to us, not on Big Bird and Binders.” says Phillip Agnew, an organizer with the Dream Defenders.

Explains fellow Dream Defender Ciara Taylor, “Like many Americans, the Dream Defenders are disappointed with the deliberate decision of the candidates to not mention the criminalization of our youth. In a state that boasts the largest number of youth in the United States serving life sentences, we understand how critical it is for the candidates to address this overwhelming problem.”

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The Dream Defenders is a student and youth led organization in Florida working to battle systematic racial and educational injustice. To find out more, visit www.dreamdefenders.org.