The Oswego State College Republicans held their “Free Speech Ball” event on Wednesday outside of Penfield Library.

The event, according to Tyler Toomey, president of the College Republicans, was held to encourage students to exercise their right to speak freely by writing whatever they choose on a large, inflatable beach ball.

“They can write whatever they want on there,” Toomey said. “If you read some of them, some of them are liberal views, some of them are conservative views… some of them [students] write encouraging messages on there.”

Toomey, in a press release from the College Republicans, expressed his contempt for political correctness and his hope that this event will mitigate it.

He said “the event comes at a time where many students feel politically correct culture is destroying learning, inhibiting progress and limiting rights.”

He said he thought of the idea after seeing other colleges with the ball on social media.

The ball, actually, was driven up here last night from D.C.,” Toomey said. “The ball travels all over the state, all over the country, actually… so it’s not just Oswego that does this, it’s other schools as well.”

Students were excited to participate in the event. Alex Bergin was one in particular who had written on the ball.

“I think it’s a good way to promote free speech and [for] people to be individuals,” Bergin said. “I think [other students] will be into it.”

Bergin also said she used the ball as an opportunity to promote her sorority.

Oliver Smith was another student who decided to write on the ball. Smith was glad that the ball gave students the chance to share their perspectives with one another.

“I think some other people will get an insight from other people and might be able to resonate with that,” Smith said. “It’s for everybody.”

Toomey thinks the dialogue that has been started as an effect of the ball is important to show how students interact with each other when talking politics.

“Right now, in the world, politics is really dividing, and we don’t want them to be,” Toomey said. “We want everyone to come together and have a conversation.”

Jacob Lewis was also a student present for the event. He attended on behalf of the Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian organization on campus, of which he is the president. Lewis was glad to be collaborating with the College Republicans to promote free speech, but did not want to associate YAL too closely with the ideals of the College Republicans.

“Working with them [College Republicans], we want to bring in political unity to this campus,” said Lewis. “However, we want to have our dividing lines that make our organizations what they are.”

Lewis thought the event was “pretty successful” and was happy with the turnout. Toomey was also very pleased with his event and was glad for students to have had time with the ball.

“College is about experiencing new opportunities, learning more and growing as a person,” Toomey said. “Whether it’s a liberal idea or a conservative idea, you can’t shut it out. You have to have the conversation and learn.”

Toomey said he encourages students interested in getting further involved with the College Republicans to visit their Laker Life page or follow them on social media platforms.

Photo: Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian