Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Rotunda Online
The Rotunda
Thursday, August 7, 2025

Longwood Libertarians host mobile liberty ball

e74e0730f843e95ae6c136652c6e2654

On Tuesday, March 21st, the Longwood Libertarians rolled a giant blow up beach ball across campus with sharpies for anyone who wanted to, to write their free speech. Some of the free speech excerpts included: "Freedom," "#Libertarians," "Henna for Life," and "<3 Longwood."

The Longwood Libertarians recently hosted an event, which allowed students to write uncensored statements in protest to the Freedom of Expression Policy Longwood holds.

The event, on Tuesday, March 21 was held from 2 p.m. til 4 p.m. by moving a beach ball from Ruffner Plaza to Brock Commons and ultimately to Stubbs Lawn.

The ball was 12 feet in diameter covered in statements made by students and Farmville residents.

According to its members, their goal was to challenge the Freedom of Expression Policy, found on pages 36 and 37 of the student handbook. The policy outlines how individuals and organizations should go about hosting assemblies and events on university property.

The members of the Longwood Libertarians had sharpies to write on the ball with, and called out to encourage people to write on the ball, saying things like “Don’t Censor yourself,” and “Write anything you want, uncensored!”

Students of all political affiliations signed the ball, as well as a few members of the local Farmville Community. Feedback from students was very positive.

Brenda Pereira, a junior business economics major, identifies as a democrat but attended the event and wrote “Love will always win” on the ball.

“I really loved it,” Pereira said. “I’m a really big pusher of freedom of speech, and I’m a big protester. I fully support the opposition to express themselves as it’s their right.”

Maria Ward, a liberal studies junior considers herself “politically neutral,” but appreciated the event.

"I thought this was awesome. Honestly, coming up to it, I thought this was a prank or something, but this is cool," Ward commented. "I feel I'm pretty neutral on my political standings, but freedom of speech is something I really respect and stand for. I wouldn't want it to be taken away."

A few Farmville locals who happened to be walking through campus also signed the ball.

“I was just walking by and saw the big beach ball and was curious,” Margaret Green, a Farmville resident, comment. “So, I stopped and wrote on the ball."

"This is our free speech ball,” Kyle Dobry, a senior political science major and president of the Longwood Libertarians explained. “The idea behind this is for students to be able to express their rights in an uncensored fashion.”

Statements written on the ball included: “Keep calm and accept everyone,” followed by a heart emoji, “Eat more pancakes,” “Free speech for god and country” and “1st amendment is freedom.”

Alexander McKesson, a political science major with a concentration in pre-law and member of Longwood Libertarians, said he considers the free speech ball a symbol.

"The free speech ball, it's a symbol of the freedom of speech here on campus,” McKesson said. “I wrote legalize liberty."

According to Dobry, the ball was chosen in order to prevent blocking walkways, which is a violation of university policy.

“The idea behind the ball is that it is a movable object, so we're not going to ever block anyone's way,” Dobry noted. “We are portable. We are moving around campus encouraging students to express their first amendment rights."

According to McKesson and Dobry, the goal was to raise awareness and create discussion on campus regarding the freedom of expression policy.

"I hope that it brings it brings to the administration's attention the possible issues with the current free speech policies on campus.” Dobry explained.

“Our campus has some pretty restrictive rules, so this is just a great way to get people expressing their freedom of speech and their liberties.” McKesson added.

“(The) next step is to continue with events that support the freedoms granted in the first amendment.” Dobry said.

Towards the end of their event, the organization received an email from the Longwood University Police Department (LUPD). Shortly thereafter, they met with the LUPD and had an extended discussion.

“LU Police (Longwood University Police Department) did not interfere with the event. (They) only wanted to clarify our intent and make sure things went smoothly with future events.” Dobry explained. “We met with Chief Beach, who extremely invested and well-versed in the subject of free speech on campus.”

“We spoke with them,” confirmed Col. Robert Beach, Chief of Police. "He (Dobry) emailed us.”

Chief Beach said that there is no issue.

“There is no story,” He commented. “We look forward to working with them becoming a recognized organization in the future.”

According to Dobry, the Longwood Libertarians are already an on-campus organization are currently listed as such on the Lancer Link student organizations list.

“Longwood Libertarians are recognized by Longwood University,” Dobry clarified. “The affiliation with Young Americans for Liberty is going through the SGA (Student Government Association) process.”

The Longwood Libertarians are in the process of becoming an active chapter of the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). The organization's constitution is working to include the identification by SGA.

The organization is not facing any disciplinary action, and is continuing with the process of becoming affiliated with YAL from the perspective of Longwood, according to Dobry.

On Tuesday, March 21st, the Longwood Libertarians rolled a giant blow up beach ball across campus with sharpies for anyone who wanted to, to write their free speech. Some of the free speech excerpts included: "Freedom," "#Libertarians," "Henna for Life," and "<3 Longwood."


On Tuesday, March 21st, the Longwood Libertarians rolled a giant blow up beach ball across campus with sharpies for anyone who wanted to, to write their free speech. Some of the free speech excerpts included: "Freedom," "#Libertarians," "Henna for Life," and "<3 Longwood."


On Tuesday, March 21st, the Longwood Libertarians rolled a giant blow up beach ball across campus with sharpies for anyone who wanted to, to write their free speech. Some of the free speech excerpts included: "Freedom," "#Libertarians," "Henna for Life," and "<3 Longwood."


On Tuesday, March 21st, the Longwood Libertarians rolled a giant blow up beach ball across campus with sharpies for anyone who wanted to, to write their free speech. Some of the free speech excerpts included: "Freedom," "#Libertarians," "Henna for Life," and "<3 Longwood."