Student disapproval of a proposed curfew for teenagers dominated the discussion at Montgomery County Council’s Town Hall Meeting for students on Wednesday.
The meeting, which was the second town hall open to students since February 2010, was billed as a forum for elementary, middle and high school students across the county to voice their opinions. Students chosen from the audience could question council members on topics of their choice.
“This is a county government that does want to listen,” said Councilman Hans Reimer (D-At Large).
It quickly became clear, however, from student questions and posters with slogans such as “Stop the curfew” that the young people attending the meeting were eager to discuss one topic in particular.
The curfew, known as Expedited Bill 25-11, was introduced by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) on July 12. If enacted, the law would forbid teenagers under the age of 18 to be out in public areas from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from midnight to 5 a.m. on weekends. Students began protesting the measure immediately after its introduction, creating a “Stand up to the Moco Curfew” petition and website.
Montgomery Blair High School senior Leah Muskin-Pierret, who helped coordinate the “Stand up to the Moco Curfew” movement, attended the town hall meeting to affirm her distaste for the proposal.
“There is a whole list of reasons against the curfew and a very short list for it,” Muskin-Pierret said.
Among the problems she cited were racial profiling and the difficulties of implementing it and making it work.
Some council members insisted that the curfew could help protect children whose parents are not as involved in their lives. When Councilwoman Nancy Floreen (D-At Large) asked members of the audience how many had a curfew at home, only a few hands shot up.
“Keep in mind, not all parents are involved,” Councilman Craig Rice (D-Dist. 2) told the students.
In response, a parent from the audience stood up and left the room, generating applause from the students.
A group of students from Winston Churchill High School — seniors Union David Stark, Zoe Dobkin, Jennifer Tran-Kiem and Maggie Petta-Pauls, and junior Colin Kincaid — came to the meeting wearing anti-curfew posters.
“I don’t think it’s the government’s job to be a parent,” Dobkin said.
The teenagers are members of Churchill’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. They argued that the curfew would infringe on teenagers' civil rights.
Student member of the Montgomery Board of Education and Richard Montgomery High School senior Alan Xie said he understood why so many teenagers took issue with the curfew proposal. He added he believes the council is willing to work with students on the matter.
“I’m really confident that the council is going to consider all of the questions and testimonials presented by the kids,” he said.
The council and students discussed possible alternatives to the proposal, such as more after-school programs designed to keep teens out of trouble.
Most who attended said they were happy with the student turnout and the opportunity to voice their opinions to members of the council.
“This image is that all teenagers do bad things,” Dobkin said. “But no, we do productive things and we give up time to come to a Town Hall Meeting to make sure our rights are being secured.”
The council’s vote on the curfew has been delayed until November.
The Student Town Hall Meeting is scheduled to replay on County Cable Montgomery, channel 6, at 4 p.m. Sundays, 10 p.m. Mondays, 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, noon Fridays and 3 p.m. Saturdays.
Samantha Cooney is the editor-in-chief of the Rampage, the student newspaper at Rockville High School. This is her first volunteer column for The Gazette.
The Rampage can be found online at http://www.rockvillerampage.com/.
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