Silver City, NM - On Thursday, September 17 at 6:30 pm, WNMU students and young people from our community will join at Miller Library to talk about youth participation in our political process. This is the latest in the series of Thursday public forums sponsored by WNMU's Miller Library and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA de WNMU), and the Grant County Democratic Party.

A panel of articulate young people will discuss the theme of "To Vote or Not to Vote." Panelists will include Dylan Contreras and Lawrence Garcia, Associated Students of Western New Mexico University Senator and President, respectively; Marco Narváez, Aldo Leopold Charter School Student; Grecia Rivas, Western New Mexico University Student; student representatives from Cobre High; and moderator Maddy Alfero, Aldo Leopold Charter School.

"Many young people are turned off about politics by the rising tide of ugly rhetoric, gridlock and allegations of corruption," said Frances Vasquez, the Chair of the Grant County Democratic Party. "But they need to find their way into the political process, and learn how to exercise their civic rights despite all the cynicism."

"Students who aren't satisfied with what their elders have done in the political sphere have an obligation to show us how they can make it better," stated Dr. Magdaleno Manzanarez, WNMU Vice President for External Affairs and an organizer of the forum. "And it makes a big difference for all of us whether or not our youth get involved in the decisions as to who will wield power on everyone's behalf. We need their energy and perspective, and most of all their active participation, for our democracy to continually renew itself."    The public is invited to learn from and interact with this panel of future leaders. As always, food will be served following the forum. Free. For more information, contact the Grant County Democratic Party at 654-6060 or email grantcountydemocrats@gmail.com.