ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Words were flowing on the University of New Mexico campus Wednesday afternoon. <\/p>\n
Students were given the opportunity to write whatever they wanted on a huge beach ball in the center of campus. <\/p>\n
The group behind it, Young Americans for Liberty, said their goal was for students to take advantage of their rights and get the conversation going. <\/p>\n
Go ahead and write whatever you like on the free speech ball, Andres Del Aguila, UNM student, said. <\/p>\n
UNM student Shaya Golafshani decided to share a positive message Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Hello gorgeous world, she wrote, adding she sees too much negativity around her. <\/p>\n
I just love to see people smile and so when you tell someone theyre gorgeous, they smile so I just think thats awesome, Golafshani said. <\/p>\n
She is just one of dozens of UNM students who wrote on a giant beach ball, exercising their constitutional right. <\/p>\n
This is for their freedom of speech, they can say whatever they want, they have a voice, their voice matters, Jessamine Cerron, Young Americans for Liberty, said. <\/p>\n
The groups aim is to educate all students, regardless of their political beliefs, about their rights. <\/p>\n
I decided to draw an eye with a heart and art next to it because Im an art student and I believe that expression through art is pretty amazing, Ashleigh Ortega said. <\/p>\n
Some students used the opportunity to have a little fun. <\/p>\n
I put, make slime, smoke drugs, because people need to not take everything so seriously sometimes, Eli Bartlit, UNM student, said. <\/p>\n
Others opted for a more political message. <\/p>\n
I just felt like writing Mexican American cause thats how I feel right now, J.C. Santistevan, UNM student, said. <\/p>\n
The group organizing the event says theyve seen examples of censorship on college campuses lately, citing the Milo Yiannopoulos event at UNM last month. <\/p>\n
The event featuring the conservative speaker sparked protests and controversy on campus. <\/p>\n
Were against all forms of censorship whether it be from the government or from fellow citizens, explained Del Aguila. <\/p>\n
Organizers say they want UNM to remain an inviting campus, open to different ideas. <\/p>\n
The Young Americans for Liberty have put on the free speech ball event before. <\/p>\n
They say its a good way to get students to interact with each other on campus about important issues. <\/p>\n
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