Valley Star

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Paul Olden A CALL TO ALL-These Rock the Vote posters have sprung up all around the Valley College campus as a reminder to attend the rally in Monarch Square today.

Valley College students will have the chance to rock out and have their say in the 2008 presidential elections tomorrow at the 'Voting Rocks' concert, presented by the Valley chapter of the California Public Interest Research Group.

Six bands will play in Monarch Hall from 3 to 6 p.m. Free food will be available and the event will feature guest speakers from the Associated Student Union.

Zeke Reyes, president of the school's chapter of CalPIRG, explained his motivation for organizing the event.

"I see the youth as being disconnected from political issues, and [they] don't have full awareness of who they are voting for … having an event that is fun and that people can get involved in is a great way to get people interested," he said.

'Voting Rocks' will give students who are not registered to vote the opportunity to do so.

"We will have information packets for all candidates, whether they be Republican, Democrat…then people can see what their policy platforms are and what their track record is like," said Reyes.

Caitlin Parker, CalPIRG campus coordinator, noted that there has been a lot of interest in 'Voting Rocks' so far. The organization is aiming to sign up around 300 new student voters at the concert. They will also be around the campus mustering up potential voters.

Blame the Noise, Glare and Los Arambula are some of the local bands scheduled to play the concert, with a variety of music on offer, from rock to ska. The groups became involved when organizers put the word out that they were encouraging students to vote, something that Zeke Reyes said is an issue close to many musicians hearts.

Crystal Sicairas, a member of CalPIRG, who organized the participating bands, said that most of the bands knew each other and were all excited to be playing. Event organizers will make a compilation disc of all the groups playing at "Voting Rocks." It will be available to purchase during the concert for $2. The proceeds will go to CalPIRG to assist them with getting established at Valley.

There will also be a food drive at the concert in preparation for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

"We want to remind people that not everyone is fortunate enough to have food and family at Thanksgiving." said Reyes.

The concert is not the only event happening in the college district, with East Los Angeles and City College also holding similar gigs. Reyes said that the three colleges were aiming to host a combined 'Voting Rocks' event in February, before the presidential primary.

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