cont'd

people, .old people and poor
people. “‘It is only the people in

business who can afford those -

rates,’’ one demonstrator said.

(drivers under 25 are hit
especially hard because of the
Socreds’ intention to make this
““‘category’’ of drivers pay as
much as they receive in claims,
which is more than any other
category. Demonstrators insist-
ed that drivers should be treated
as individuals and judged on
their driving records instead of
paying a penalty for belonging to
a high-risk category.)

Several people used the op-
portunity to give a_ political
“*I-told-you-so’’ to those who
had voted Socred in the election.
Barber cited such a person, a
truck driver who now had to sell
his truck because he couldn’t
afford the new rates.

When the crowd broke up
several hours later, it was to
chants of ‘Well be back’’. ‘‘This
was only a dress rehearsal,’’ said
Robert Hasard, one of the
organisers. ‘‘The big perform-
-ance is coming.”’

Although by-passers gathered
to listen on the grass of the
Legislature once the demonstra-
tion started, it consisted mainly
of students from the Victoria
area,

Organized by students at the
University of Victoria, the mo-
torcade left the student union
building there at noon. On the

 

way, students from Camosun
College and several high schools
joined.

Hazard was pleased with the
size of the turn-out. Organiza-
tion, he said, had not been
intense and had begun seriously
only the day before the protest.

Pedestrains and other drivers
reacted positively to the motor-
cade, giving peace signs or
raised fists in salute, and shout-
ing encouragement.

Most of the vehicles were
heavily decorated with signs.
Here are some of the highlights:
We can’t afford Social Credit.
Rank Discrimination.

Needed: Election correction.
For Sale: Can't afford new ICBC
rates,

Fascist thieves. ‘
Don’t blame me. I voted NDP.

Better Red than Broke.
An obviously aged VW bug

sporting two-tone primer paint
and lacking a rear bumper
carried this one: ‘‘Does this look
like a rich man’s car?’’ An old
Ford in similar condition read:
““Would you: insure this for
$400?"

Most demonstrators answered
no at the Legislature, chanting in
unison: ‘‘No way, we won't
pay.’’ One speaker pointed out
“the jails aren’t big enough to
hold us all’’.

Hazard urged all students to
boycott their payment and send
the invoices to the Student Union
offices to be forwarded en masee
to the premier.

 

the Other press Wed. Feb. 4, 1976

SHudert? Lehibition
and) Demonstration
feb, 0~7 Fri.~ sat.
Sl7?OO am &? OOrpm

campus

surrey
Fine arts student lounge

Slides
Hand building
Wheel throwing

u