The Rad Side

Cheerleaders protest voting participation

Erin Coffman / contributing photographer Anti-voting cheerleaders protest at city polling locations Tuesday against the "hierarchy and power" of U.S. government.

Across the city, the Rocktown Radical Cheerleaders protested participation in the voting process on Election Day.

The cheerleaders began their protest at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The Rocktown Radical Cheerleaders, dressed in red and black homemade uniforms and waving black pom-poms and a red and black flag, stationed themselves at polling locations such as Keister Elementary and Waterman Elementary.

The local group of anti-voting cheerleaders began in 2003 and then disbanded, reforming this year to protest what senior Nancy Dicke called the American government "largely based on hierarchy and power."

"I’m an International Affairs major, and I started questioning the system when it became clear it was corrupt," Dicke said.

Most were cheers similar to what many have heard performed at sporting events. "One … two … three … four, what the hell are you voting for?!" asked one cheer.

"We’re not expecting people not to vote," said Suzanne Garrett, radical cheerleader organizer.

Shannon Highkick, a Harrisonburg resident and radical cheerleader said, "We’re revolutionary anarchists."

Junior Megan Joyce said, "The response has been more positive than I thought. There’s a lot of interest, and one guy was really excited about us. He was undecided and after talking to us decided not to vote."

The Radical Cheerleaders’ purpose was not to upset citizens, but instead spread their message and to raise awareness in the causes they believe in.

"Accept it, disregard it, I don’t care," Garrett said.