The Young Americans for Liberty held a demonstration in the Library Quad at Sacramento State today.

The chapter president and philosophy senior John Snyder said the group is hosting the free speech wall event embracing the freedom of expression. Snyder said the event will be followed by a free speech meeting explaining the purpose of the group. 

“We’re in Sacramento, the capitol of California, in the most populated state and it’s time we bring libertarian ideas here,” Snyder said. “We want a different view here that the status quo (and) mainstream media has to offer us.”

Snyder said the group started a chapter on campus to promote free expression for everyone, no matter their political affiliation.

“We’re addressing issues mainstream politicians like (President Barack) Obama and (Republican presidential candidate Mitt) Romney are too scared to say in the national debates,” Snyder said. “We’re here to bring libertarian values to Sac State.”

This is the first semester the group is here on campus, Snyder said.

“This is a new group and this is our first semester on campus,” Snyder said. “We’ve got so much attention already. We’re growing so rapidly right now – it’s out of control.”

Rachelle Manel, a junior biochemistry major and member of Young Americans for Liberty said that free speech is an important thing.

“I feel like even over the past decade that our government has been slowly chipping away at things that our country is founded on,” Manel said. “I’m trying to bring that back to the forefront.”

Engineering senior Ariana Castillo said the free speech wall caught her eye because she’s never seen an event like this before.

“It is pushing everyone to share their opinions, especially around the time when it’s time to get people voting,” Castillo said. “It’s emphasizing that the idea that people should speak up and voice their opinions.”

Chris Lopez can be reached at [email protected]

Camille Anglo can be reached at [email protected]