The North Island Students' Union's (NISU) Comox Valley rally against student debt and tuition fees will be absolutely smashing.
NISU is taking part in the Canadian Federation of Students' National Day of Action fighting for post-secondary education from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 1 at all North Island College campuses.
While similar rallies will happen nationwide, something a little out of the ordinary is planned in front of the Discovery Hall of Comox Valley campus — a car will be smashed with a baseball bat.
"We're very excited that the college has allowed us to do it," Canadian Federation of Students representative at NISU Savannah McKenzie. "It's extremely representative; it's going to be representing student fees and tuition fees, just to show that we want to smash tuition fees.
"So that's what we're representing, and letting all the students have a go at it."
The car, donated by Comox Valley Auto Recyclers, will have the glass and fluids removed beforehand for safety reasons.
Also, guest speakers will include student staff, college faculty and the community.
McKenzie said everyone is invited because the rising costs of post-secondary education affect the entire community.
"This is something that affects people of all ages; it's not just college students, it's adults trying to return to education (too)," said McKenzie. It's "something that affects everyone here in the Comox Valley because people go to schools to get jobs."
She pointed out that the last time there was a National Day of Action for post-secondary education was in 2007, and $300 million was added to the national grant system available for students.
She said she believes this nationwide rally will get the government's attention again.
"I'm extremely confident," said McKenzie. "The government can't ignore such a huge movement."
For more information visit www.nisu.ca.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com