By Nitin Dhamija
Daily Bruin Contributor
A coalition of several student organizations came together
Wednesday to promote political mobilization by encouraging Bruins
to vote.
“We have registered over 1,000 voters and we’re
trying to get people interested and educated about upcoming
elections,” said Alyssa Scullion, a second-year political
science student and the chair of UCLA’s California Public
Interest Research Group, one of the organizations participating in
the event.
Along with CALPIRG, representatives from Bruin Democrats, the
offices of the Undergraduate Student Association President and
Vice-President, the Bruin Political Action Committee and the Gay
and Lesbian Association joined to form the non-partisan group Youth
Vote 2000 Coalition.
The coalition is calling on the presidential candidates to
address issues in their last debate that face America’s
youth. The group is also trying to ensure that the town-hall-style
forum is filled with younger audience members, organizers said.
At the rally, students stood in the rain sharing their personal
experiences and explaining the importance of participation in
national elections.
“Rain or shine, students come,” said Merriah
Fairchild, representing CALPIRG at the event.
One such activist, Barmark Nara, a third-year transfer history
student, initially decided not to vote. He said he felt
disillusioned by the “two shades of same evil: Clinton and
Gore.”
But, after consideration, he realized that even though he
wasn’t supportive of the Democrats and the Republicans, he
had alternatives.
“Even though I know my vote won’t make a difference
in the outcome of the election, I am going to vote for Ralph
Nader,” Nara said. “To use my vote as a statement that
one more person is outraged and dissatisfied with the Clinton
administration.”
Though the groups came together for the same cause, the
coalition showed unity in the face of different political beliefs.
Unlike Nara, other students gave different reasons to vote based on
other concerns.
Bryan Masumoto, representing GALA at the event, expressed
concern about Bush’s views on gay rights and women’s
issues. Warning of Bush’s potential career as president, he
advised his listeners on the importance of the ballot.
“There is no such thing as a wasted vote,” said
Ramzi Ajami, the USAC president’s Chief of Staff.