Section: Student News
March encourages students to vote early
Oct 29, 2008

Approximately 50 students from Metro State and the other Auraria institutions participated in an Oct. 23 bipartisan march to promote early voting.

The march, sponsored by Auraria College Republicans, Students for Barack Obama, CoPIRG and Hip Hop Congress, began at Tivoli Commons and ended at the Wellington E.Webb Building.

Many of the marchers proudly held picket signs and chanted as they walked through downtown Denver. Several talked to onlookers along the way, encouraging them to vote early.

Kailei Higginson, Metro State junior and member of Auraria College Republicans, was among several of the student organizers who were happy to be a part of the campus-wide movement.

Metro State junior Chris Rork, president of Students for Barack Obama, said, “This is a pivotal year when it comes to civic engagement. Our group is here not only to get people to vote for Barack Obama, but also to get students to understand the importance of being an active citizen.”

Of the 50 students who marched, about 20 actually voted inside the Wellington E. Webb Building. Students that were not registered to vote in Denver County waited outside and encouraged drivers to honk in support.

Rachel Brett, Auraria Campus organizer for Co-PIRG, says she is thrilled to see so many students taking an interest in politics this year. “CoPIRG has a strong presence on campus because we’re tired of being told that young people don’t care and don’t vote. The more students we have to come out and march with us today, the more we can really prove that young people are a force to be reckoned with,” said Brett.

Carlos Montoya, a senior UCD student and two-year member of Hip Hop Congress, was happy to collaborate with the other student organizations to make the event happen.

“This is just another great opportunity to promote hip hop in a positive light,” Montoya said. “We not only seek to change how people view hip hop culture, but we also try to get people to see that today’s youth really care about social movements and their community.”

Organizers who handed out free t-shirts and other merchandise at Tivoli Commons encouraged all students to march regardless of whether they are registered to vote in Denver County.