PENTICTON, BC — They’re wearing t-shirts that say “head banging druggie,” but they have a sobering agenda.
Members of #TimeForChangePenticton are actively posting on the Facebook group about their community concerns, such as economic sustainability, affordable housing, and the need to embrace the youth.
The page launched Monday, and it already has more than 2400 members.
“I know that the only way we can make change in City Hall in this election is by mobilizing the young vote,” says Jennifer Taylor, founder of #TimeForChangePenticton.
The passion behind the movement comes from an unlikely source: Councillor Katie Robinson’s comment on Boonstock, calling attendees “head-banging druggies.”
“We’ve all been known to say things that we regret later, but if this has sparked a movement, then I say hey, whatever it takes to get people to vote and to get people involved in their community,” says Councillor Robinson.
The first round of shirts said: Head banging druggie #votekatieout.
Now the new ones say: Head banging druggie #timeforchangepenticton.
The group will soon evolve for a third time. Taylor has applied to have the group become an official organization called “Non-partisan Association of Penticton.”
“Our goal is to collectively decide. We will vet, we will meet with, and have conversations with all the candidates that throw their hat into the ring,” says Taylor.
The upcoming civic election is November 15th.
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