 "Photo: Nancy Rosenthal/The Daily Texan")
College Democrats from around the state gathered on the Capitol grounds Monday morning to advocate for the issues they believe affect them most.
The rally wrapped up a Texas College Democrats convention held this weekend that focused on tuition regulation, voter ID lesiglation and a bill that would allow concealed carry on college campuses. The event also featured keynote speaker state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Texas College Democrats is an umbrella organization for Democratic clubs in colleges across the state.
“We turned out to vote for these legislators, and now we’re here to hold them accountable,” said College Democrats President Tory Lauterbach. “Now is the perfect time to turn Texas blue. We’re fighting the good fight and the right fight, in my opinion.”
Lauterbach said gun control is important because it can dramatically change college life.
“We as students fight for safe campuses, so the last thing we want to do is bring guns onto them,” Lauterbach said. “If you can imagine a world in which a fistfight escalates into a gun fight, you can understand why we are here.”
Van de Putte addressed increasing tuition rates at UT and across Texas.
“Tuition in just four years has doubled at UT-Austin, and this is the case all over the state,” Van de Putte said. “This is a prescription for disaster and a squeeze on middle-class Texans. We’ve heard the cries of you and your parents.”
On the voter ID bill, she said young people should be empowered to vote, not burdened by it.
“The future belongs to these young Texans,” Van de Putte said. “It is not only our duty to listen, but to listen seriously.”
Andy Jones, a government junior and Texas College Democrats spokesman, took on the role of organization president on Monday.
“I applaud everyone here today for their courage to say, ‘This is what I believe in, this is what I stand for, stand with me today,’” Jones said. “It’s not about Obama. It’s about continuing to advocate for your community.”
One group of students at the rally had driven five hours Friday through traffic and rain from UT-Pan American in Edinburgh.
“We wanted to make sure that we’re not forgotten,” said physics graduate student Kayleigh Garcia. “You deserve a voice, wherever you’re from.”
Texas College Democrats has chapters at 34 colleges across Texas, 17 of which were chartered this year, including one at UT-Pan American.
“With 26 counties in our region, ours is the only chapter of College Democrats,” said UT Pan American chapter president Amber Arriaga, a political science and psychology senior. “It’s important to bridge the gap between politicians and our generation.”
The College Republicans of Texas will also hold a rally at the Capitol this week.
“I generally believe that these types of events give legislators insight into what students want, particularly on such issues on tuition relief and the gun bill,” said College Republican spokesman Colin Harris, a government senior. “I see the voter ID bill as more of a universal policy. However, as citizens, it’s important to make our voices heard on anything.”
After endorsing Liam and Shara, Talarico and Co. ought to be ashamed of themselves for claiming to speak for college students.