WASHINGTON, D.C.-Free speech has yet again been stifled on one of America’s college campuses. On Tuesday, August 30th, a student from Fairmont State University in Fairmont, W. Va. was silenced while collecting signatures during the annual student organization fair.
Dustin Winsky, a senior from Follansbee, was canvassing and recruiting new members for his Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) chapter in front of the Falcon Student Center. Winsky was educating students about the principles of liberty when approached by campus security and was asked to shut down the operation. While campus security seemed sympathetic to his efforts, they explained that the student fair activities are the discretion of the police, and Winsky was too “outgoing” in his efforts to collect signatures.
Historically, universities have served as a beacon of intellectual thought and it is shocking to see school administrations stifle open dialogue and healthy debates. In response, YAL is continuing their national “Fight for Free Speech” campaign and is targeting campuses to reform unconstitutional speech codes. This blatant disregard for freedom of expression as protected by the First Amendment must end.
“I’m thrilled to see Young Americans for Liberty leading the national Fight for Free Speech campaign on campuses nationwide. As opposed to stifling our protected rights, we encourage university administrations across the country to adopt the Chicago principles on freedom of expression,” said YAL Executive Director Cliff Maloney, Jr. “Universities should be a place for open dialogue and we will continue this battle to ensure that our First Amendment rights remain protected — not just on college campuses, but everywhere in America.”
