Democrats rally student votes on steps of Rotunda

Photo by Cavalier Daily Staff Photographer, Cavalier Daily Photo Staff
Meredith Richards speaks to student supporters at a DNC Rally held on the Rotunda steps yesterday.

The University Democrats joined 5th District Congressional candidate Meredith Richards on the steps of the Rotunda yesterday afternoon to launch the Youth to the Booth campaign.

Youth to the Booth is a nationwide effort by the Democratic National Committee to encourage young voters and college students to participate in this November’s election, DNC Spokeswoman Susan Walitski said.

“Young people need to get out there, speak up and vote,” Walitski said.

Despite hot and humid weather, about 20 supporters from Charlottesville and the University attended the rally in support of Richards.

First-year College student Ethan Machemer said he endured the heat because of the importance of the campaign.

“Any discomfort doesn’t compare to her getting elected,” Machemer said.

In her speech, Richards addressed both education and the environment. She said she supported the consolidation of student loans.

“It takes so much to go to college these days. I would support every form of assistance for students,” Richards said.

Richards criticized her Republican opponent, Virgil Goode, for supporting the Bush administration’s energy conservation and environmental policies.

“I think the U.S. should be leading the way, not dragging its feet on things like the Kyoto Environmental Accord,” she said.

Richards also addressed the need for women in political offices to be leaders on issues such as women’s rights and abortion.

The event followed a rally for Goode in the same place two weeks earlier.

“We think that our rally is a unique presence because it’s part of a national movement, all taking place on the 17th to get youth to the booth,” University Democrats President Ian Amelkin said.

The DNC expected Youth to the Booth events to take place on 218 college campuses this week, with about 95 percent of them launching today, Walitski said.

Some campuses were hosting celebrities as well as politicians.

Boxer Riddick Bowe and Olympic figure skater Michael Weiss were expected to make appearances at the University of Maryland, she said.

Celebrities attended based on their availability, Amalkin said.

“Not all colleges were able to procure politicians,” he said. “We are excited that [Richards] chose to attend our event.”