Liberty University

[MCstudent]

First off, the school's name doesn't fit their behavior...

I received word this morning that the Riders probably won't be allowed onto campus, and the 5 that were going to go on in civil disobedience were expected to be arrested...

I'm sure more news will come later.. I've been thinking about them all day, praying for them, and praying that my school will not act the same way Liberty has today.

Keep them in your thoughts/prayers as things continue to unfold throughout the day.

[Daniel]

Some Libertarians show up on these shores, right?

Thanks for posting this news MC.

[nervezapper]

My prayers are with the team. May all of God's richest blessings be upon them!

[sauu4equality]

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/...ce_visit/8934/

Here is the article from the Lynchburg, Va Newspaper (where Liberty is). It is interesting how Falwell's son says that they have students that have "those tendencies." How does he know this??? Is he judging people by the way they look? I'm just confused as to how he would get this information.

In the comments section you can see that one person wrote,"Falwell, Sr would have let them on campus..." Why is Junior so uptight?

[MCstudent]

The 5 Riders that went on campus ended up not getting arrested! This is wonderful news. I'm practically jumping out of my seat right now, I'm just so glad. I'm tearing up right now, haha. I'm just so relieved that they didn't get arrested and were allowed on to dialogue with students- this is amazing, considering in 2006 24 Riders were arrested... so... big improvements!

[Daniel]

According to the this article, which was posted almost 24 hours ago.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religio...erty-gay_N.htm

[MCstudent]

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/...ce_visit/8934/

I also found this article posted yesterday, lol...

The Riders didn't know what to expect today, I've just been relaying what I've heard throughout the day.

[Daniel]

The right hand not knowing what the left hand doeth?

I am glad that the Riders were allowed on campus. And gee. It would be great if one of them showed up here to tell us how it went.

There may be times during the Ride when angry students show up here, and it would be great to have first hand accounts of things. Or at least some participation. There have been other Rides when it's been hard to answer questions posed here- for the simple reason that the people being addressed weren't there!

[MCstudent]

From the same newspaper who yesterday said they weren't going to be allowed on campus.

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/...ce_visit/8934/


I'll tell Zak he needs to come visit the forums... lol.

[MCstudent]

http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=9107617

[fiercest]

Hi,

My name is Taueret and I'm one of this year's Equality Riders.

Thanks for all of the support and questions about our experience at Liberty.
Speaking for myself, I had a great day of dialogue and meeting students from all walks of life...... And it left me exhausted!!!

I know most of us are in bed right now, but if you have any specific questions we are here to answer them!

Thanks!!!

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by fiercest

Hi,

My name is Taueret and I'm one of this year's Equality Riders.

Thanks for all of the support and questions about our experience at Liberty.
Speaking for myself, I had a great day of dialogue and meeting students from all walks of life...... And it left me exhausted!!!

I know most of us are in bed right now, but if you have any specific questions we are here to answer them!

Thanks!!!

Hi Taueret,

Thanks for your post. It's great to have you here. So- no one was arrested. That's good too. Did you think going in that might happen? Or did the news accounts get it all muddled up? How did it turn out that you had access? And did you actually get onto campus?

What was the reception? Curious? Defensive?

Just trying to get a feel for things here.

Thanks for staying up late and being game!

[fiercest]

No one was arrested, but of course we were prepared for the possibility of civil disobedience.

The news reports were definitely muddled. We had been in communication with Lynchburg police and they said that 5 of us would be allowed on. Liberty U apparently told reporters otherwise.
It turned out to be 5 riders (including an ER co-director), 2 Soulforce staff, and TONS of media.

They went onto campus and delivered LGBTQ and Ally-affirming books to the library and then dialogued with students.
Liberty has about 10,000 sudents and our group of 5 riders were surrounded by about 50-60 Liberty students. Although the riders who remained outside the campus vigil-ed and had a lot of great conversation as well, I can't help but wonder how much more balanced it would have been if all 17 were allowed on campus.

I found everyone we met to be really eager to chat and share their knowledge. That definitely made it easier for us to really share and everyone learned something.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Pictures and video

www.soulforce.org/album/14

[keltic63]

Taueret,

Thanks for stopping by! I know your days are full, but I can't tell you what a difference your presence here has made. If the past is any indication, we will be seeing many students from the ER stops come to the forums with questions. It sounds like your first stop was a positive experience.

I really appreciate you taking some time to post here in the forums. I feel that the ride and the forums can work together to make this action a great success.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by fiercest

I found everyone we met to be really eager to chat and share their knowledge. That definitely made it easier for us to really share and everyone learned something.

It sounds like the students you talked to were receptive and open to discussion. That's great.

As Keltic notes, your presence here is definitely appreciated!



Re the utube vid- the report makes it sounds as though the books that were taken to the library aren't going to be available any time soon. And that's a crying shame. I can only hope that the committee or person who decides the matter will opt for intellectual freedom over censorship.

[revcobb]

The Riders were welcomed last night at First Christian Church in Lynchburg, where the church's Wednesday night fellowship group hosted dinner and conversations. It was a great time for us at church to get to know the Riders better. It was also great to see the bus in the parking lot! The wrap with the logo and message is distinctive, and it's going to turn a bunch of heads on the highway. As Jeff Lutes said later, it's going to make drivers look a their passengers and say, "Ethel, did that bus say, 'lesbian'?"

Several Liberty students spoke at the worship service last night, along with Jeff Lutes, Azariah, Cailtlin, and Katie (I hope I got your names right--forgive me if I didn't). In between each speaker, Lynchburg singer-songwriter Paddy Dougherty sang some amazing songs including one called "I Have a Dream" that was written by my son's fifth grade class. It has some great words:

Chorus
I have a dream like Martin Luther King
that we're all one big family, living with equality
Sisters and brothers, caring for each other
Wherever you are from, no matter who you're lovin'
I have a dream, I have a dream, I have a dream

The courage and commitment of the Equality Riders is a deep inspiration. I wish them well as this afternoon the group is to meet with students at a local coffee shop to continue yesterday's converstions off campus. I'm also praying for the Word to be made flesh in each encounter they have. Truly, the Riders have an apostolic ministry. It was good to be a part of it, even from the fringes.

Any Riders reading this, know that you are welcome in Lynchburg anytime. We're really glad you're here this week. May God send you peace and fill you with joy!