Congratulations, Click4Life!

by Ellen Tveit | June 2, 2009 • Last winter, we wrote about Click4Life, a teen driver safety project undertaken by students at the High School for Recording Arts and the Fo-Show in partnership with State Farm Insurance. Click4Life's goal was to pass legislation in Minnesota that makes driving without a seat belt a primary offense and, ultimately, save teen lives. (Read Can organizing save lives?)

By the People is a weblog on civic engagement produced by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs of the University of Minnesota.

After two years of research and honing their organizing and public speaking skills through work with other young people and participation in the Organizers Breakfast Club, Click4Life celebrated Minnesota's new seat belt law at an event last Thursday with their partners and supporters. Quartney Fore shared a story about overcoming fear and approaching Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty to ask for his support. A video of her short interview helped garner the last two votes needed to pass the bill. Chantel Winn performed her song 'Friend,' and HC, Bishop and Ruby P. performed 'Yes I Am,' both of which were recorded for the Click4Life CD and used at youth summits to get teens interested in driving safety and the role they could play in changing Minnesota's law (they make talking about buckling up cool.) Congratulations, Click4Life!

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