R.Y.A.N. Theatre Group performs

The Rochester Youth Action Network has a theatre group ... this is the story of their debut performance. <!--break--> <p>The Rochester Youth Action Network (RYAN) Theatre Group performed last night at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church. A large number of local activists had gathered for the sixth annual International Human Rights Day vigil and panel discussion.</p> <p>The theme of this year's presentation was <em>Are They Coming For YOU?! What does the "USA Patriot Act" mean for you & your organization?</em> and the theatre group began with a skit enacting Martin Niemoeller's famous poem.</p> <blockquote> First they came for the Jews<br> and I did not speak out<br> because I was not a Jew.<br> Then they came for the Communists<br> and I did not speak out<br> because I was not a Communist.<br> Then they came for the trade unionists<br> and I did not speak out<br> because I was not a trade unionist.<br> Then they came for me<br> and there was no one left<br> to speak out for me.<br> <i>Pastor Martin Niem�ller</i><br> </blockquote> <p>This was well-recieved by the group assembled, as were all of the skits presented last night by the members of RYAN. They went on to dramatically illustrate the various problems inherent in the so-called USA-Patriot Acts (I and II), including demonstrations of potential White House press conferences, gathering of DNA samples for the government during routine physical examinations by private physicians, and others.</p> <p>Michael Freeman and Kelly Miller, the co-founders of RYAN, were present and introduced the various other members of the RYAN Theatre Group. Afterward, many stated how impressed they were both with the group itself and with the hope that they had, seeing the youth involved in getting this message out to another generation of future activists.</p> <p>Each year since the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1998, the Rochester Alliance for Democracy has organized a candlelight vigil reading of the Declaration, a potluck supper, and a panel discussion highlighting one or more of the principles enshrined in that document. The RYAN presentation was held following a performance by the Rochester Raging Grannies and prior to the keynote speaker (Thomas Tobin, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Democrat and Chronicle) and discussion. The evening then closed with a video prepared by Rochester IndyMedia with interviews and footage of the recent protests against the FTAA and police repression in Miami.</p> <p>The RYAN performance fit in well with the evening's activities and (in my opinion) they are a positive addition to the local activist community. They are not content merely to rest upon their laurels however. This event is hardly finished, and they are already meeting later this week to prepare for their next endeavor. They will be introducing the <i>"Wise Up" CD Project (Tracks With Facts to a beat)</i> and are currently looking for speakers, musicians, organizers and others to collaborate on this youth outreach project. I have a feeling we will be hearing more about RYAN in the future.</p> <p>RYAN can be contacted at <a href="mailto:rochyouth@email.com">rochyouth@email.com</a>.</p>

<p>The Rochester Youth Action Network has a theatre group ... this is the story of their debut performance.</p> <!--break--><p>The Rochester Youth Action Network (RYAN) Theatre Group performed<br /> last night at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church. A large number<br /> of local activists had gathered for the sixth annual International Human<br /> Rights Day vigil and panel discussion.</p> <p>The theme of this year's presentation was <em>Are They Coming<br /> For YOU?! What does the "USA Patriot Act" mean for you &amp; your<br /> organization?</em> and the theatre group began with a skit enacting<br /> Martin Niemoeller's famous poem.</p> <blockquote><p> First they came for the Jews<br /><br /> and I did not speak out<br /><br /> because I was not a Jew.<br /><br /> Then they came for the Communists<br /><br /> and I did not speak out<br /><br /> because I was not a Communist.<br /><br /> Then they came for the trade unionists<br /><br /> and I did not speak out<br /><br /> because I was not a trade unionist.<br /><br /> Then they came for me<br /><br /> and there was no one left<br /><br /> to speak out for me.<br /><br /> <i>Pastor Martin Niem�ller</i><br /> </p></blockquote> <p>This was well-recieved by the group assembled, as were all of the skits<br /> presented last night by the members of RYAN. They went on to dramatically<br /> illustrate the various problems inherent in the so-called USA-Patriot<br /> Acts (I and II), including demonstrations of potential White House press<br /> conferences, gathering of DNA samples for the government during routine<br /> physical examinations by private physicians, and others.</p> <p>Michael Freeman and Kelly Miller, the co-founders of RYAN, were<br /> present and introduced the various other members of the RYAN Theatre<br /> Group. Afterward, many stated how impressed they were both with the<br /> group itself and with the hope that they had, seeing the youth involved<br /> in getting this message out to another generation of future activists.</p> <p>Each year since the 50th anniversary of the passage of the<br /> Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1998,<br /> the Rochester Alliance for Democracy has organized a candlelight vigil<br /> reading of the Declaration, a potluck supper, and a panel discussion<br /> highlighting one or more of the principles enshrined in that document.<br /> The RYAN presentation was held following a performance by the Rochester<br /> Raging Grannies and prior to the keynote speaker (Thomas Tobin, Deputy<br /> Editorial Page Editor for the Democrat and Chronicle) and discussion.<br /> The evening then closed with a video prepared by Rochester IndyMedia<br /> with interviews and footage of the recent protests against the FTAA and<br /> police repression in Miami.</p> <p>The RYAN performance fit in well with the evening's activities and<br /> (in my opinion) they are a positive addition to the local activist community.<br /> They are not content merely to rest upon their laurels however.<br /> This event is hardly finished, and they are already meeting later<br /> this week to prepare for their next endeavor. They will be introducing<br /> the <i>"Wise Up" CD Project (Tracks With Facts to a beat)</i> and are<br /> currently looking for speakers, musicians, organizers and others to<br /> collaborate on this youth outreach project. I have a feeling we will<br /> be hearing more about RYAN in the future.</p> <p>RYAN can be contacted at <a href="mailto:rochyouth@email.com">rochyouth@email.com</a>.</p>