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A declaration of involvement
A campaign encouraging students to vote came to Fresno State Tuesday, bringing an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, former “Real World: Las Vegas” cast members and four “slam poets.” “ Declare Yourself” is a national campaign currently on a tour of 18 college campuses. Citing a Federal Election Commission report stating that only 32 percent of young people voted in the 2000 presidential election, the group’s goal is to convince those between the ages of 18 and 29 to participate in the political process. In preparation of the 2004 presidential election, “Declare Yourself” conducted a voting registration drive in the USU Tuesday. “ It’s important for students to get involved,” said Amanda Whitten, a senior political science major and former AS presidential candidate who served as head student volunteer. “ With the current climate, with the budget, it’s Fresno State students, CSU students, who take the hit, because we don’t vote,” she said. Students had different reasons for choosing Tuesday as the time to register. “ A presidential election is coming up,” sophomore Coleman Tuttle said, explaining why he chose to register now. “I figured, ‘if I don’t vote, then I can’t complain.’” A total of 152 students registered to vote Tuesday. Though registration took place after the Feb. 16 deadline to vote in the March 2 election, volunteers remained optimistic. “ The fact that we registered that many students past the deadline is great,” Whitten said. The slam poets encouraged students to take advantage of their right to vote as they performed in the pit. “ We fought for the right to vote… and we do not vote. We fought Jim Crow, slavery, and for what? If you’re proud to be an American, prove it,” recited the poets in unison. The presence of the Declaration of Independence on the tour held special significance for the poets. “ It keeps us grounded,” said Marty McConnell, one of the poets. “It’s not common knowledge it was meant to be read aloud. It’s meaningful for us as poets. It is the original American poem.” “ Real World: Las Vegas” alumni Alton and Irulan entertained the crowd before the performance. “ Iwant to see young people use their voice,” Alton said. “I want to see the 20 million vote.” |
