Libertarians to hold annual convention in Pittsburgh

By MATT WUNSCHE
Collegian Staff Writer

Voter apathy is often high among college-aged people, but some Penn State students will get a chance to reverse that trend. By participating in the upcoming state Libertarian convention, students can be a part of the political process.

The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania will hold its annual convention from March 19 to 21 at the Pittsburgh International Airport Holiday Inn.

The focus of the convention, said Tim Moir, chairperson of the Pennsylvania Libertarian Party, is to conduct party business, such as nominating officers. Because only local elections are in the near future, the party will not be nominating any candidates for office.

The Libertarians will bring county officials and people who ran for office in 1997 and 1998, as well as some candidates for local offices in 1999, together to collect information about what they learned during their campaigns, Moir said.

About 15 of Centre County's Libertarians will attend, including some of Penn State's College Libertarians and retired Penn State Professor Julian Heicklen, said Ryan Matlock, College Libertarians' president.

Matlock said he will speak on Saturday, March 20. He plans to address various issues and give an update on the success of Libertarian activities at Penn State.

Heicklen said Penn State has one of the most active College Libertarian movements in Pennsylvania, and the only one in the central part of the state.

"Student groups should be the focus of the Libertarian Party," Matlock said. "With so many students who aren't even registered to vote, they could really make an impact."

As a graduating senior, Matlock said he wants to make sure students know they can affect the two-party system.

"One vote against the grain is worth a lot more than voting for somebody just because you think they will win," he said.

Heicklen, who has gained attention through his weekly protests for the legalization of marijuana, also will speak at the convention. He will be the keynote speaker for the first day of the convention, Friday, March 19. Primarily, he said, he will update attendees about events in the county, including the marijuana protests.

Heicklen also said others at the convention will be debating party business, including who will run against U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., in 2000. Party positions on affirmative action and abortion also will be discussed.

"The party does not have an official position (on Heicklen's protests)," Moir said, "but if it did, it would support him."