Church of Scientology of San Diego Making Human Rights a Reality

The Church of Scientology of San Diego sponsors a chapter of Youth for Human Rights International.

Here is an article about their activities:

San Diego - December 10th marked the 57th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, a ground-breaking document, recognizing the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

"In commemoration of Human Rights Day, we decided to apply education to a major human rights abuse facing our young people -- gang violence," said Veronica Albano, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology of San Diego. Albano works closely with the San Diego chapter of Youth for Human Rights International, whose mission is to teach youth around the globe about human rights, thus helping them to become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.

"The Department of Justice estimates there are 300,000 gang members, and some six thousand young people in California are hospitalized with violent injuries each year. Something can be done about this," said Ms. Albano. She went on to say, "It is important to show youth that united, they can be a force for good will and bring about greater tolerance and respect."

To make the point, Albano uses a 5-minute music video that deals head-on with gang violence and bullying among youths. Called UNITED, this video is a story of children from around the world banding together to defeat bullies in school and playground settings and even extending friendship to a gang leader. "It is a portrayal of what our youth face today and how they can apply Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--that all people are born free and equal and we should act towards others in a spirit of brotherhood."