Krist Novoselic, former bassist of the grunge band Nirvana, will be coming to Sacramento State during Constitution Week to speak to students about social networking and its influence on the First Amendment right to assembly.

The address will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the University Union Ballroom.

“I will be sharing stories and personal experiences of association, mostly touching on some of the barriers of participation, misconceptions about political association, and how the information revolution is transforming democracy and how people are coming together,” Novoselic said.

The First Amendment right to assembly guarantees people the right to come together to express and promote common beliefs and interests.

“We live in a democracy. People can congregate and say or do whatever they want – as long as it is not against the law,” said Daniel Okada, criminal law professor at Sac State.

Long before becoming a rock star, Novoselic had expressed interest in politics. He was involved in the punk-rock scene, where musicians took advantage of their right of assembly by coming together and sharing common needs and values.

In 1995, he co-founded Joint Artists and Music Promotions Action Committee, which took on anti-music laws in Washington state. In 2008, he was chairman of the Wahkiakum County Democratic Party in Washington.

Novoselic, who is an active blogger for The Seattle Weekly, said he believes social networking is a powerful tool that has shifted our attitude toward electoral politics.

“The time period leading up to the 2008 presidential elections was a phenomenon. People were looking for change, something different. You will never see public financing of a major party for a presidential candidate like that again,” Novoselic said. “(President Barack) Obama’s campaign reinforced the power of association, where individuals would donate small contributions even if all they had were $10 or $20.”

With the help of social networking, Novoselic has his own idea for an archetypal, or mythical, party called the Rock Party. Members of the Rock Party would be able to vote for party officials and nominate candidates for public ballot. They would also have the ability to develop and ratify party platforms. In addition, members would receive free music downloads, Novoselic said.

“The Rock Party is an illustration for the potential of the Internet. The idea behind it is for people to feel ownership, share common beliefs and to feel as if they are part of something. That’s what social networking is, people sharing things,” Novoselic said.

Junior communication studies major Heather Vickers said she would consider attending Novoselic’s address.

“What Krist Novoselic is coming here to talk about is really interesting and it is something that is relevant and current to most of us these days,” Vickers said.

Novoselic said he wants Sac State students to not only become active in social networking, but to also look for ways to use it as a political tool.

“I want people to make the connection how important American democracy is and that we honor and respect it by engaging it,” Novoselic said. “If you are a part of the social networking sphere and are interested in politics look for ways to feed two birds with one seed. Get involved. That is how association is making the leap to transform democracy.”

Laila Barakat can be reached at [email protected].