The event we organized turned out to be a wonderful learning experience! I cannot say it was hugely successful, but I was very pleased to have pulled it off in less than 3 days.

We had about 100 people show up, maybe 30 signs and lots of flyers, which we were not allowed to distribute anyway.

The police gave us a hard time, first telling us to move to the other corner (which we refused to do). We stood ground and said that we had a right to be there. The police also said we could not hold up our signs, which I challenged them on. They called in another 20 officers or so, warning that we must move or face possible arrest, but when the other officers arrived, they could not find legal grounds by which we could not be there or hold up our signs - simply that the signs could not be attached to sticks (which they weren't). I am proud that they were not able to remove us, but they hassled us for a good half hour (much of it caught by the reporters, who they hassled, too) and our signs were down for about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, we lost about half of the crowd as a result.

Because of our presence, the show stopped cutting down to the sidewalk (a tradition, which happens throughout the show every time, and the reason why we chose that location). So in terms of that angle, being on in the background of the show, it was not a big success and I'm not sure we could be seen at all.

I had notified the host of the show, Carson Daly, and invited him to come down - although he didn't, he did flash us a peace sign from the window on the 2nd floor, likely off-camera, but at the very least acknowledging that we were there.

Perhaps the most successful part of the event was the media turnout, though of course no mainstream coverage. Those who showed up included Bloomberg radio, PBS - In the Mix, FreespeechTV, the Independent Media Center, a Japanese show on one of the biggest channels in Japan (they will air a show later this month and did some interviews with us the day before), a photographer working on a series that will be shopped to some major magazines and at least 5 freelancers, documentary-makers, etc.

This was a testing the waters kind of thing, because of the time factor. We learned a lot and had a good experience. We have yet to debrief fully and measure the impact, although I don't think we'll find much more on top of what I described here.

My hope is to this next week launch the Don't Buy This World Campaign, focusing on young people leveraging their economic influence in an effort to be heard. Please look at the discussion posts on that topic and add your thoughts. The feedback I'm getting is great, but not so sure it'll fly with the mainstream "apathetic" youth quite yet. The trick will be to create a simple and solid message, with a core base of support within the activist community, to bring the message mainstream, which will then hopefully inspire those labeled in apathy to join up.

I hope the International Youth Declaration continues to gain support, co-signing organizations and recognition, but believe that we must take more concerted steps if we are going to see any real change in the direction we're heading.

We, as young people, have been calling to be heard, but our voices have not been powerful enough to impact the world. Our call for Peace in decades past has often been dismissed and our hopes for the future dim with days passing. What can be done to alter the destructive path we are on?

I propose that we, young people, do not support a world that does not support our highest ideals. From peace to justice, equality to tolerance, our hope for a brighter future is compromised as we remain voiceless in a growing war-frenzy that might very well consume our world as we watch, helplessly.

Young people represent, at least in the US (and in many over-developed countries), the largest consumer market. Our buying power is massive - bigger than any other age group - and we invest each day, voting with each dollar, to push a giant system of capitalism and injustice forward.

STOP BUYING!

If our generation would stop buying for a day, a week, a month, we could leverage the only power we currently have to be heard. If we were to stop investing in any company which does not support and promote social justice, the economic impact of our choice would draw a lot of attention to our message. Many industries would be affected and the world could be shown that we will not stand for war, and that we will not accept it anymore.

Don't buy movies, CDs, video games, nike sneakers, gap sweathsirts, don't acquire more material things for a day (or until we see the changes we want) and let your voice be heard! This is our world, and our future that is at stake.

What message would that send to our peers around the world, too? I hope that we will find support and encouragement. This is something that anybody can do and join us in the effort; a simple way to express yourself and at the same time bring together a movement dedicated to ensuring peace and justice in our lifetimes.

Put your wallet away and let our dreams speak for themselves.

Peace,
Benjamin Quinto
Global Youth Action Network

My dad remarked shortly after the events on the 11th that the world had not, in fact, changed... that we had simply inherited the future. Well, this is not the future that I signed up for and I will continue to work towards the kind of world I think will be fit for children, free from the injustices we face today.

On Friday we are going to have a rally in Times Square, showcasing young people's call for justice, but not war. You can find more info on it, and the declration that has been crafted, at www.9-11peace.org/youth.php3 I hope we have a large turnout on Friday. This will the first in a series of other activities that will mobilize and involve the New York City youth community.

I am proposing an idea, which I will post in more detail on the discussion board to get a reaction, but that is for our generation to carry the following message: that we will not support a world that does not support our ideals. Young people, at least in the US and certainly in other over-developed countries, represent a massive consumer market, spending more than any other age group. We vote by the billions in dollars spent every year. If we were to stop buying for a day, a week, a month, stopped investing in the companies that do not promote social justice, our voice would undoubtedly be heard. The economic impact would be felt across many industries and could not be ignored.

I implore you all to consider this.