Wanted: Student Activists with guest Speaker Dawn Chapman from Just Moms STL

There is no age limit on activism. Dawn Chapman, of Just Moms STL, will be speaking to students on Saturday, September 15 about grassroots organizing on an issue that needs attention. And she knows how to organize! One of the original founders of Just Moms STL, Dawn and others have brought the West Lake Landfill to the national spotlight, getting a commitment from the Environmental Protection Agency to begin the removal of the radioactive waste in the landfill, which is dangerously near the burning Bridgeton Landfill. Dawn and others are still working on the negotiation phase of the EPA’s promise. In fact, she will have just returned from Washington D.C. when she meets with us. In addition to an update on the Landfill movement, Dawn will talk about how to organize an awareness campaign to any issue that needs attention in your school and/or community.

Students have successfully organized incredible movements in the past, from Civil Rights to Gun Rights. Freedom Summer of 1964 was completely orchestrated by college students too young to vote to help get African Americans the right to vote in Mississippi. Student protests to the Vietnam War draft led to the passing of the 26^th Amendment, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. Across America students are calling for lowering the voting age to 16. The Vote16USA movement is an offshoot of the Never Again movement, organized by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL to promote tougher gun regulation in America. Come hear Dawn Chapman speak and leave inspired to take action.

The discussion will be from 9-11 am at the Civitas hub on Saturday, September 15.

Like all Civitas events, it’s free to high school students. Space is limited so please RSVP!