Terry McAuliffe got involved over a decision of Liberty University stripping the school’s Young Democrats chapter of its right to organize on campus.
“Liberty means freedom,” McAuliffe, one of three Dems vying for the party’s nomination for governor, said on a call with reporters. “To me it means freedom of speech. As most of you know, I’m a huge advocate of freedom of speech.”
Condemning the school’s decision, he added: “The Liberty University college Democrats have been very helpful to my campaign.”
The group, which has about 30 members, was founded in October ’08 and notified by school officials earlier this month that it is no longer permitted to assemble on campus.
Students were notified 5/15 via an email from Mark Hine, vice president of student affairs, that the club would have to stop using the university’s name, holding meetings on campus or advertising events.
“The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the “LGBT” agenda, hate crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc.)” Hine said in his email.
McAuliffe said today he’d be willing to visit the school to have a broader conversation about the situation.