Youth Show How There's More To Mexican Independence Day Than Meets The Eye

It was on the 16th of September in 1810 that the people of Mexico were by Father Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, and Doña Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and others, inspired by the concepts of freedom, equality, and democracy for their people, rang the bell of the church calling the people of Mexico to fight for Independence.

While the war lasted ten years, it brought liberty, equality, and independence to the people of Mexico who for years had lived under Spanish rule. While Human Rights are discussed as an international issue, it is on Mexican Independence Day, that every Mexican citizen can proudly promote these rights and recognize the efforts of their ancestors who similarly dedicated their lives to fight for these very rights.

Humanitarian and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard said, "Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream." While it was nearly two hundred years ago that Father Hidalgo fought for the rights of all Mexican citizens, there are human rights issues that persist to this very day, and we CAN do something about it, and the youth of today are working towards making human rights a fact.

The United Nations created a document to protect our basic human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document, which lies at the heart of Youth for Human Rights International (www.youthforhumanrights.org), has been produced by the organization in an easy to read booklet, available in 16 languages, in order to educate our youth about their basic human rights and to inspire them to teach others.

"Knowing your human rights are important. Most kids don’t know about this document or even the United Nations. We need to make sure everyone knows what their human rights are," said Ximena Mora, a 10th grader at Preuss High School in La Jolla. "We’re here at this festival giving these booklets out to help get the word out and tell everyone about human rights and why it’s important in creating peace and not war," added 13-year old Melissa Walter from Vista.

For more information about the "What Are Human Rights?" booklets visit www.youthforhumanrights.org or email sdyouth.for.human.rights@gmail.com for information on upcoming events in San Diego.