Thank you for joining us today. You are up here with mikva challenge, we are committed to developing young people to be informed and active citizens to create a just and equitable world. Named after two great civic leaders, we believe in the power of the voices that are here with us today and we believe in helping young people to create civic action to improve the world. I am going to turn it over to a colleague and friend from Facebook Education. [applause] hi, everyone. My name is nicole and i work on the Education Team focused on use leadership. Our mission is to provide young people with support and resources they need to drive positive changes in their communities and schools. We are thrilled to be getting this partnership, to be supporting mikva in their work. Hear the youtho speeches today. For you all, young people raising your voice is to help shape your communities. Thank you so much. [applause] i mentioned the amazing young people that are here today. My name is stephanie cruz, i am on the board of mikva challenge. It is exceptionally exciting to hear the stories we are going to hear. These young people represent 25,000 young people who have participated in the soap box challenge. We are very lucky to hear these amazing stories. To geting to turn over it kicked off. [applause] thank you both so much. Myself and my colleague will be emceeing today, and we are thrilled to hear these speeches of brave young people who will speak out on the issues that matter to them that they want to see change that are affecting young people around the country and the world. I wont be speaking so much because we want to center their voices and their wisdom and their perspective. Without further ado, im going to call our first speaker, mohammed. Come on up. [applause] 35,000, that is the number of innocent souls put to rest in 2012 by gun violence. Did they deserve it . Absolutely not, and yet here we are talking about them in past tense red my name is mohammed and i come before you to talk about the tragic gun violence epidemic in the United States. Since the horrifying School Shooting in connecticut, sandy hook elementary school, there has not been more than there massbeen more than 1,600 shootings. While the families of those killed in these incidents drowned in grief, the government watches with glassy eyes. Many attempts to protect and serve the interest of the public continue to be undermined. The unprecedented gun violence continues to be subverted as if it is not a real issue. Gun violence is a cruel, inhumane and catastrophic problem and and only in america dilemma. In 2018, a shooting at a bar in california marked to the 307th mass shooting and 2018. When that occurred, it was 312 days into the year, meaning that the u. S. Has nearly as many Mass Shootings as days. Every dayointing that a possibility of a mass shooting happening is active and real . 2,824 children who were clueless of this dangerous and evil world, where they are not even safe in the place they spend most of their lives in, anticipating their birthday, their kindergarten graduation and awaiting to hug their parents once they get out of school died by gun shots. 13,723 wereional injured. If we are capable of building walls, blocking immigrants from coming in, then we are able to burn those walls that surround politicians who do nothing about gun violence as they are blindsided to those who have suffered. My call for action is to demand background checks, make sure guns are out of the hands of those with criminal records, demand more complex systems for buying guns, and finally, and i cant believe that i have to say this, but an 18yearold should never have access to an Assault Rifle. Are you kidding me . 18yearold who has barely grasped responsibility and adulthood is all of the sudden granted the right to an Assault Rifle . What planet are we living in . I will tell you. The planet where he learned from parkland, where we learn from san bernardino, where he learned from the synagogue in pittsburgh. Where he learned from parkland. Where he learned from columbine. Where he learned from the mosques in new zealand. Where we learn from new york. But we did not learn to do something. Anything for those 2824 children. Places of worship are under assault every time a bullet is more important than a life. Do what is needed until this place can be safe for the future generations. Enough is enough. Thank you. [applause] thank you. Up next, we have ivy. Can i tell you where they are from . Mohammed was some new york, queens. [applause] , do you want to a book is a wonderful piece of magic. It can transport you to another world. It can give you a glimpse into the life of another person. It teaches you empathy. For children, reading is vital. And children from low income families need books the most. They need that escape, that hope for a better future. It seems that these children are our lowest priority when it comes to reading. Over 8. 7 million low income students are not proficient in reading. These are the kids who are going to make up the future of our nation. It is imperative that we give them the resources they need and deserve. And how can we do that if libraries are not getting the funding that they need . In 2013, the delaware state budget appropriated only 0. 06 of their money toward libraries. Improve ifgrow and we are taking something as magical as libraries for granted . Now, some people may not believe that this is a problem. Books are disappearing to make way for a new era, the era of technology. And yes, technology is a wonderful thing, but studies show that children growing up in homes with books average three years more schooling than those who grew up in homes without books. That is regardless of parents class, occupation and education. Study by thea Reading Agency shows that reading can reduce anxiety and stress, increase selfesteem, and reduce symptoms of depression. It is magic. So, now that you note the problem, heres what i need you to do. Support organizations that work to solve this problem, such as reading is fundamental or room to read, but most importantly, read. By reading to the children in your life and encouraging them to read, we can move toward a stronger, better tomorrow. Thank you. [applause] thank you. Ivy. You, [applause] this is my soapbox speech. Before i begin, i would like to ask if everyone can see me. Now . Ou great, because in the eyes of society, people of color are seen as invisible. Abolish, noat we matter what we established, it would still be there. I am talking about racism. Racism is something that has been a part of our world. My generation, generation z, has been to her in a place where there is so. People find other ways to be racist. That is disappointing because in the words of Martin Luther king junior, i had a dream for all black boys and black girls to play with all little white boys and black girls and not die. Happy and forget about why we have to work that day. Die withainly did not the school students, including their faces black for 10 years. Passing, 3050 days that this is not ok. Officers say it is ok to shoot. The person of color is a problem and appear ignorant as people adding to the problem. In the words of dr. Martin luther king jr. , nothing is more dangerous than sincere ignorance. According to npr, africanamericans have extensive amounts of discrimination. When applying for a job, it is 56 . 57 . Tion, skin color, that produces that. King, racism is not ok. It has never been ok. The people are just as bad. Behaving and people behaving to the fact that they can deliver. Dr. King had a dream and so do i. Every color feels included and lookpeople to attractive and the dream will theater dream. We see racist acts all the time and dont announce them. It is ok to be like this. And a 13yearold should not be asking adopt to do their job. Andould be going to a party worrying about which drama happened at the beach. I am not done. [applause] [laughter] you want to know why some people have nightmares . The starter stream. Bloodshot. [applause] thank you. Ms. Jackson. [applause] have you ever had her then person . All over the country all over the world. This means demand. The United States government and employees are turning a blind eye to u. S. Citizens. 998 people have been emerged and that is two people away from 1000. People have been murdered by u. S. Police officers and we are in the month of july. This is not how they should be treated because we are all human beings. If what is even worse is when we have proof, proof by the government officials. 2017 that twon Police Officers have been charged with the protest. The officers hit, kicked and threw them to the ground protester, really an officer. What is the government do . Nothing. It is like to please a government or could teaming up to make them scared. It is not right. All races are being abused. It is like family or like me, your red son or your son. I believe Police Officers are punished. Better training or dealing with the public. There might be Mental Illnesses. During training, police with the investigation, traffic control, defensive aid. Ng, selfdefense, self then a learned how to deal with mental on this is. They dont know how to handle anger. Will a great a daily issue. Is this today takes his last that one word his classmates, shot and murdered two of classmates. A grown man murdered 21stgraders with the got. Murdered eight his classmates because he felt he did not in. 17 people. Shootings have become consistent. Just on the to year time span 150 skill13 and 2015, seven reported the number has 39. Wn to 20 400 we what died as result of open gunfire and accrued school campus. Do you know 27 in 2016, firearms and that. Myselfericans, including asking for the bands of guns. It is similar to the muslim ban that is were from put in place and i find it disgusting that for biddingump is human beings that already exist in our country. Mind. Ssroom is not in i desk should not defend me. Should not have to worry about teachers are willing to second are still lives in order to save mine. Not only is her citizen of the u. S. But a compatriot of the earth. Im not a war and neither my fellow peers. There is a desperate need for change. As someone not legally yet allowed to vote but i ask you please come one to when it opens, please vote for efficient good laws, but to protect the addict or of america. We have better over the safety of inanimate objects. Thank you. [laughter] thank you. Bowman. Larry she is a pretty girl, but she will not ever believe it. She could find a million imperfections within one inch of her body. But shek of mace cap will not ever believe it prudent over her stomach or extra piece of cake that makes her fat, yes. She wishes she was on skinny. Skinny girl but never believe it. The thing she sees him believe says she is not good enough. She did to be thin, tall, white, successful. Thick. Shes pretty girl but you will not believe it. When she wakes up in the six but she she is looks in the mirror, she and i stand herself. Shes a pretty girl but she will not ever believe it. She stays away from boys because they cannot let her. Look a certain way to attract men, but recommend like enters her job to attract men. She was told it was not how she looked. Shes a pretty girl. But she will not ever believe it. Tap into believing went to saudi tells her every part of the way she looked is wrong, put on some weight. Guys do notthy like skinny girls. You are ugly. Shes a pretty girl but she will not ever believe it. Thanexpectation is less when until they are nothing more than men. Butwishes she loved herself that will always be someone more beautiful. Pretty girl. She would never believe it. Young girls are said to be quiet, buddy, obedient, perfect. One will bill stop terror each other part over what we must look like. Accepting yourself as hard but i hope we will find the courage to let the beautiful sign true. Thank you. Lou ang. , 91 of plastic is recycled. Plastic, venerate charge. Objects. Of the 8. 3 billion metric tons deuced, 61 3 billion dollars are being plastic waste. That percent recycled. The 2 millionity, landfills as lettered. At some point, it is the ocean. Could you imagine them with. Lastic, 20 billion pounds of last. That amount is 35,000 town as heavy. 8 million metric tons. Some restaurants have been getting rid of plastic clubs together to plastic in the ocean and we have been getting to and materials and recycling. Ocean that just and a clean outfit and berm around with jellyfish. Lets make this a reality starting today. [applause] thank you. Gilbert. Mr. [applause] im sorry, but the only place you have work is assistance to this weeks the ghettos you were raised in. I am so sorry but i am too afraid about the fact your father may be terraces. I will pay you to work on the table. This termination has got to stop. People are being profiled, prosecute and punished for being themselves. I think it is impossible for him to ask the this fate. My skintone along is enough for me to be labeled as a quote unquote on to fist the black girl. They dont feel like they should achieve weakness because that when we turned out to the color of the skin. Either end up in prison or killed. Today six to 82 of africanamericans feel like the ratio is most is committed upon. Having a father that is christian and a mother that is muslim, i never had most hatred and inequality from religion because my parents never had that. Around the world, people are going to kill. Mexico United States controversy, Police Officers are carelessly going around arresting people. They forget that so many United States citizens are latino descent. It shows that 50 of his medic americans feel like they are may surely discriminate on a daily basis. Then talk with us. Lets look at the time discrimination happened before the eyes have. Change but iwards am asking you to do it. The next time you ask, put yourself in their shoes. Be against discrimination and thank you. [laughter] [applause] thank you. Next, if he and townsend. Thompson. Come on down. [applause] this is all our fault. The countless lives that have been lost due to the oregon several lawmakers. He 13 lots of columbine 50 livesof tiny hook of the las vegas not shooting and the countless others we choose to ignore. The blood has stained the nation read but yet to reach the color by leaders. Everyday. We say we live in the land of the free but how we can newly be free one another hate . We should be scared. Firearms andrlds more than enough to outnumber each person in this country. We should be scared because we are not safe. We are expected by the government to get up every morning and go to school. Hoping it will be safe. Hoping we will come home. Nothing has changed in sunday. Like it has for the victims of the pulse nightclub shooting. Chaos, relation can be like it has been for the victims of the pittsburgh synagogue gooding. Going to the Grocery Store can be scary because we know there is a chance we may never,. Over 300 Mass Shootings. Over 300 times a gun was fired, killing or injuring at least four people. And we watched and let it happen. The that it happened. The schools, to housing and places of work and worship, we are a nation divided , divided by greed and hatred and guns. Failed time and time again by the legislation and government. When asked when they value more, they choose guns. Loss will forever be a reminder to the generation and generation to come of this terrific time in our country. There is something wrong and people expected to work itself out. We will not be since the war zone so things can work outs out. We will risk our lives every day knowing there will be no change because we are not target. We are your future. [applause] thank you. Next, jaelyn. Give her a hand. When i was 4, i became a big sister. We did not share the same parents, we shed the same birthday. He suffered from a fractured skull but he was one of those joyful, friendly loving people at the. The meaning of resiliency. Follow love with the time of him. One of the most special relationships. Youthsre over 437,000 all needing a place to call home. Whether it is emerging placement were longterm placement, i know for my expenses with my family that you dont truly provide a home until you treatment or love them as durham. The strong, places of pain and hurt, whether from abuse or neglect. And it is unfair that that get to settle in one place. I will admit, it is to scary thing to be a foster family. Situation makes her uncertain living and that should not be a reason for be lots of foster. We see groups of siblings. Chineseids with the consulate moving from home to home because they dont deserve none of families to provide them with a level of care they need. Question. Ig i dont think i can do that. What if he becomes emotionally attached. Monday was not for my foster brother to reunite with his biological family, it broke my heart. Looking back, the most rewarding part is we made a difference and made it something. He left my home and a better place emotionally and physically when he came been. There is no want to show someone they truly valued and live without becoming attached. In mean something to take someone in and show them they are important. Throw question becomes what if you dont become attached. Thank you. [applause] thank you. Peere atthew bingham if you see someone wearing old ripped up clothing, you may think he or she is just 30 were not worth your time. You might completely dismiss them. It is a preconception and what we have or others can complete ruin any chance of a healthy relationship. Easilyson could have been your best friend or even your spouse in the future but you dismiss them simply on the basis of how they look. I, like so many other african americans, have to hope that when a Police Officer sees the color of my skin, then automatically assume i do some. He illegal i was driving a friend home. Everyone was fine and i was not at fault so i called the police to resolve the issue. As time passed, i became more and more nervous. What if i moved too fast . What if they shoot me . I isnt times like this that realize exactly the type of world we live in. We live in the type of world where a community can be afraid of the very people that have sworn to protect them and can be on trusting of those protectors as a result. It is not just me that thinks like this. According to national geographic, 70 of black parents rehearse a script to keep their parents safe. Lower your car windows of the officer has a clear line of sight, turn on the interior light, keep your hands visible, have your license and registration out, and for god sake let the officer know you are reaching for them so he doesnt shoot you. The child doesnt even have to be doi