Mercer Calls, Students Answer With A 'Vote Mob'

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 07:42 AM

Prince George, B.C. - It seems political satirist Rick Mercer is able to do what politicians cannot - mobilize the youth vote...

During the Rick Mercer Report that aired two weeks ago with its feature on UNBC, Mercer used his 'rant' to call on young people across the country to "do the unexpected, take 20-minutes out of your day and do what young people all over the world are dying to do - vote."

Later today, students at the University of Northern B.C.'s Prince George campus plan to answer that call by staging a 'vote mob' - at 12:15pm, approximately 140 students are expected to charge around campus in what, organizers say, will "demonstrate that youth are voting in this election and that politicians need to impress them."

"We're calling on students everywhere to celebrate the vote and ask themselves what kind of Canada they want to live in," says Nadia Nowak, President of the Northern Undergraduate Students Society. "This also serves as a heads-up. Politicians need to act like students will be going to the polls because right now, Ottawa isn't ready for us."

Nowak says 'vote mobs' - which are a take-off from the growing social phenomena of flash mobs - have occurred or are scheduled at 19 other campuses across the country.

The event begins in the Agora Courtyard and is billed as a non-partisan event that's meant to encourage students from across the political spectrum to participate.

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