Young Americans for Liberty is a national non-partisan, libertarian-leaning, political group. The organization is focused around education and activism in efforts to maximize freedom and constitutional values.
The group has 909 chapters nationally and 35 chapters in Ohio, with one of them at the University.
Organization president John Demuth explained why having this political group on campus is important for students.
“It seems like college campuses are going further away from classical liberal values, which is all about giving the maximum amount of individual rights,” Demuth said. “I believe these rights are lacking at the University, with (its) moves that restrict students from freedom to spontaneously and peacefully assemble.”
To demonstrate the importance of the First Amendment, the group held an event to promote free speech. Demuth and former YAL president Luke Marcus rolled around a large inflatable beach ball on campus. They encouraged students to write or draw whatever they wished on the ball, such as an unpopular opinion or a complaint about a roommate.
“This event has always been fun for us and students,” Marcus said. “This year, we are doing a free speech ball instead of having a wall in the (student union) oval so we aren’t stuck in one spot.”
Although the beachball caught freshman Aurora Sedler by surprise at first, she enjoyed getting to participate in the activity. “I think this is an awesome idea, and it will definitely make peoples’ day,” she said.
Demuth believes the freedom of speech is important for students, no matter their political ideologies.
“The right to speak is not something our government or its institutions grant to us but, rather, something we are born with,” Demuth said. “Restrictions on any right does not just effect someone if they are a liberal or a conservative. Those restrictions can be used against anyone.”
Marcus agrees with Demuth on the importance of the First Amendment.
“Celebrating free speech is incredibly important. The First Amendment wasn’t written to talk about the weather – it was written to talk about controversial things.”
Demuth was happy to see students were enjoying writing what they wanted on the ball. After this event, he hopes to see more people come to their meetings on Mondays at 3 p.m. in Room 116 Eppler South to talk more about constitutional rights.
“Even if you don’t agree with us, come to a meeting. Try to change our minds or get a different perspective,” Demuth said.
