Wikipedia

Young Americans for Liberty

Young Americans for Liberty, Inc. (YAL) is a libertarian-conservative student activist organization headquartered in Austin, Texas. Formed in the aftermath of the Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign, YAL establishes chapters on college campuses across the United States, for the purpose of "advancing liberty on campus and in American electoral politics."

Young Americans for Liberty, Inc.
AbbreviationYAL
FormationApril 28, 2008; 18 years ago (2008-04-28)
TypeStudent Organization, 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4)
PurposePolitical activism
Region served
United States
CEO
Jeff Frazee
AffiliationsStudents for Ron Paul, Campaign for Liberty, Youth for Ron Paul, Students for Rand
Websiteyaliberty.org

YAL is active on nearly 400 college and university campuses, representing thousands of students.[1][2]

Mission

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As America’s largest grassroots liberty organization on college campuses, YAL's stated mission is to "identify, educate, train, and mobilize young people committed to winning on principle."[3]

History

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Young Americans for Liberty, Inc. was founded on April 28, 2008,[4] at the end of Congressman Ron Paul's first presidential campaign. Paul's candidacy inspired students to organize on-campus under the banner of Students for Ron Paul. After the 2008 presidential election in November, the movement continued, soon becoming Young Americans for Liberty.[5][6]

In 2011, 78 YAL chapters across 32 states organized a student protest of the national debt. Each chapter constructed a 40-foot debt clock and placed it in the middle of their campus.[7][8][9]

In 2019, YAL announced it would be moving its headquarters to Austin from Arlington, Virginia, saying that the group "doesn't belong" in Washington, D.C. due to its "toxic environment," and that it was a "rapidly growing organization" that needed more space in its headquarters.[10]

In 2021, several women who had worked with YAL publicly accused then-YAL president Cliff Maloney of sexual misconduct. YAL subsequently announced that Maloney had been terminated as president.[11] In May 2021, Lauren Daugherty became YAL's new executive director.[12] Former Maine State Senator Eric Brakey assumed the role of senior spokesperson, while Sean Themea became YAL's chief of staff.[13][14]

Organization

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Leadership

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Jeff Frazee is the founder and CEO of YAL.[15] Frazee first worked with Ron Paul as a congressional intern in 2005.[16]

As of 2026, Themea serves as Chief Operating Officer, while Aaron Droba is Chief Financial Officer.[17]

Events

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Beginning in 2009, YAL hosted annual National Conventions in Arlington, Virginia. More than 300 students attended the 2014 convention.[18] Speakers included U.S. Senator Rand Paul and former U.S. Representative Ron Paul, with a video address by Glenn Greenwald.[19][20] Speakers at the 2016 convention included speakers Ron Paul and U.S. Representative Justin Amash, Judge Andrew Napolitano, and David Boaz of the Cato Institute.[21]

YAL hosts an annual convention, "YALCON," with keynote speakers such as Ron Paul, Rand Paul, Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, Kat Timpf, and Jennifer Zeng.[22][23][24][25] The event attracts hundreds of students and elected officials, and is focused on advancing libertarian-leaning policies in state capitols.[26]

Structure

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YAL funds two legally separate, but interrelated organizations: A political campaign committee and a grassroots organizing arm.[27] The group’s aligned Make Liberty Win PAC advocates for no income tax, no local enforcement of federal gun laws, universal school vouchers, and other policy priorities.[28]

Activities

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YAL activists at the University of California, Los Angeles (2018)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, YAL pushed back against government mandates that "[infringe] on civil liberties."[29] The organization's Hazlitt Coalition, a network of 178 legislators from 37 states at the time, introduced dozens of bills opposing proof-of-vaccination requirements.[29] According to Themea, "The idea of having to carry around your health papers to go to the grocery store is something out of an Orwell novel."[29]

In May 2021, YAL helped organize a protest against the COVID-19 vaccine requirement at Rutgers University.[30] Organized by Rutgers junior and YAL state chair Sara Razi, the protest brought together hundreds of "medical freedom activists."[31][32] The Rutgers protest was covered by CNBC, Forbes, The Guardian, and other news outlets.[33][34][35] That same month, YAL and the ADF threatened legal action against Skidmore College after a YAL chapter was not approved on campus for political reasons.[36][37] Skidmore student Hannah Davis claimed to be the victim of a "cancel culture campaign", which led YAL and the ADF to accuse Skidmore of violating consumer protection law.[38][39]

In total, YAL fought COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates on 23 college campuses, such as Rutgers, Virginia Tech University, and the University of Colorado Boulder.[40] YAL circulated petitions opposing COVID-related rules on different campuses, such as Virginia Tech.[40] According to YAL, the organization "is not anti-vaccine, but rather anti-vaccine mandate at taxpayer-funded academic institutions."[41] Several students affiliated with YAL have spoken to the mainstream media, arguing for vaccination as a "personal choice."[42][43]

YAL supports school choice and is an outspoken critic of gun-control legislation, such as "red flag" laws proposed by former President Joe Biden and other Democrats.[44][45] The organization also opposes "Critical race theory" education at public schools.[46] YAL is active on social media, often attacking Democratic Party officials.[47] The organization also publishes a quarterly magazine called "The American Revolution," and YAL spokespeople regularly appear on Fox News and other networks.[48][49]

As of 2025, YAL has spent more than $250,000 in West Virginia to oppose vaccine mandates and the elected officials who support such mandates.[50]

In August 2025, YAL hosted Ron Paul's 90th birthday party, which drew about 1,000 attendees.[51]

Operation Win at the Door

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In 2018, YAL launched Operation Win at the Door.[52][53] Maloney claimed that the project's goal would be to "build the bench" by electing 250 state legislators by the end of 2022.[54]

In 2020, YAL accused Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign of stealing its grassroots door-knocking strategy and "Operation Win at the Door" branding to engage with voters.[55] As of September 2022, YAL says it has knocked on millions of dollars across 40 states to support political candidates.[56][57]

Hazlitt Coalition

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YAL's "Hazlitt Coalition," a network of libertarian state legislators around the country, oversaw more than 170 members from nearly 40 states in 2021. The coalition filed 25 bills defending people's rights against COVID-19 protocols.[58][59]

As of 2022, there are more than 300 Hazlitt members in the coalition, many of them under the age of 40. The Hazlitt Coalition doubled in size between 2021 and 2022.[60] One of the coalition's policy priorities is COVID-19 vaccine choice, in addition to free speech and gun rights, among others.[61][62]

Controversies

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YAL has faced several controversies. The group was one of the nonprofit organizations whose tax-exempt status was challenged by the Obama administration.[63] Frazee said YAL was targeted by the Internal Revenue Service because the group used words like "Constitution" and "liberty" in its application.[64]

In 2014, two YAL students at the University of Hawaii filed a federal lawsuit after they were prevented from handing out copies of the U.S. Constitution.[65]

In 2016, three YAL students passed out pocket constitutions on a public walkway at Kellogg Community College (KCC) in Battle Creek, Michigan.[66] The students were approached by Drew Hutchinson, the school's Manager of Student Life, and told to shut down the event on grounds that it violated the school's "speech permit policy."[66] After refusing to do so, the students were arrested by campus police and jailed for over seven hours.[67]

YAL and the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) subsequently filed suit.[68] Meanwhile, KCC's speech restrictions remained in place until August 2017, when the school was ordered to pay $55,000 in damages and attorney's fees.[66] Additionally, the school agreed to adopt a new Freedom of Expression policy, "[making] it clear that any individual or group can engage in non-commercial expressive activities, including speeches, demonstrations, vigils, and the distribution of informational materials, in common areas on the campus during periods that the College facilities are open to the general public."[66]

Also in 2016, an internal post advising chapters not to host Milo Yinnopoulos led to disputes within YAL and external criticism over the organization's position and association with Yinnopoulos.[69] In 2018, the Iowa State chapter invited far-right figure Nick Fuentes to speak.[70] After the invitation, the national YAL organization pulled the chapter's YAL affiliation, effectively canceling the event and closing the chapter.[71]

In 2019, three suspects were arrested on aggravated arson charges after a fire was set at the door of a Tulane University dorm room occupied by a YAL-affiliated student activist.[72] The student said he was targeted based on his political beliefs.[73]

In 2023, YAL North Florida Director Serena Barker was confronted by Florida lawmaker Chuck Brannan for distributing flyers that criticized Brannan for not supporting open carry legislation.[74]

Awards

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In 2023, YAL won a Reed Award for "Best Political Event Production."[75] The organization won the same award in 2024 for its Revolution 2023 event.[76]

References

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  1. ↑ Dickler, Jessica (October 3, 2021). "Facing Covid vaccine mandates, some students withdraw from college". CNBC. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ Dickler, Jessica (July 21, 2021). "Colleges and unvaccinated students are set for a standoff this fall". CNBC. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Young Americans for Liberty - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026. With more than 500 YAL chapters and 162,000 youth activists nationwide, YAL seeks to identify, educate, train, and mobilize young people committed to winning on principle.
  4. ↑ "Young Americans for Liberty, Inc". OpenCorporates. April 28, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ George Dance, "Ron Paul Helps Launch Young Americans for Liberty Archived 13 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine," Nolan Chart, 7 Dec. 2008, Web, 15 May 2011.
  6. ↑ Wang, Stephanie (March 23, 2011). "Libertarians Protest War in Libya". Student Free Press. Archived from the original on March 27, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Campus group protests ballooning national debt". JConline. March 29, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Meidell, Catherine (March 30, 2011). "Display to present U.S. national debt issue". Utah Statesman. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Master the balancing Act". Augusta Chronicle. March 28, 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  10. ↑ Maloney, Cliff (May 23, 2019). "I have a big announcement for YAL". us1.campaign-archive.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021.
  11. ↑ Smolen, Katie (September 8, 2023). "Remaining charges dismissed against Missouri man in 2013 rape". The Tribune-Democrat. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Meet Our New Publisher & CEO, Donna Bragg". Texas CEO Magazine. June 11, 2021. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ Ellis, Jaynie (May 13, 2021). "Skidmore College: Controversy Continues". saratogatodaynewspaper.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  14. ↑ Willour, Isaac (March 25, 2021). "Pro-liberty students barred from forming club: 'cancel culture organized against us' at Skidmore". The College Fix. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ Jones, Ben (April 29, 2016). "Libertarian and pro-life conferences highlight death penalty repeal". Equal Justice USA. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  16. ↑ Reed, Lawrence W. (July 23, 2014). "An Interview with Jeff Frazee". fee.org. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  17. ↑ Roberts, Brandon; Ngu, Ash; Glassford, Alec; Suozzo, Andrea (May 9, 2013). "Young Americans For Liberty Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  18. ↑ Sprung, Curtis (July 31, 2014). "Rand Paul speaks to young libertarians". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 5, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  19. ↑ Killough, Ashley (July 30, 2014). "Rand Paul: MSNBC has 'partisan cranks and hacks'". CNN. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  20. ↑ Garris, Eric (August 11, 2014). "Glenn Greenwald Speaks at Young Americans for Liberty Convention". CNN. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  21. ↑ Maloney Jr., Cliff (July 19, 2016). "Fed up with today's politics? #BeTheNext leader and change it". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Sparta High School Alumn Attends Young Americans for Liberty Conference at George Mason". TAPinto. August 7, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Tulsi smears are an American tradition. They shouldn't be. | Responsible Statecraft". responsiblestatecraft.org. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  24. ↑ Lavine, Owen (August 2, 2024). "Kyle Rittenhouse Is Voting Trump Again After MAGA Backlash". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on June 24, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  25. ↑ Fitzgerald, Avaerie. "Young Americans for Liberty take home chapter award". The Collegian. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  26. ↑ Johnson, Brad (August 3, 2020). "City of Dallas Cancels Young Americans for Liberty Convention". The Texan. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  27. ↑ Culvyhouse, Henry (March 5, 2025). "How a well-funded libertarian group pushed West Virginia toward loosening vaccine requirements". Mountain State Spotlight. Archived from the original on November 28, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  28. ↑ Balmert, Jessie (April 23, 2024). "Pro-universal school voucher group Make Liberty Win not done targeting House Republicans". The Cincinnati Enquirer.
  29. 1 2 3 Wernau, Julie (April 9, 2021). "Vaccination Passports Are New Flashpoint in Covid-19 Pandemic". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  30. ↑ Makin, Cheryl (May 20, 2020). "'Should be a personal choice': Rutgers students to rally against COVID vaccine mandate". MyCentralJersey.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  31. ↑ Baldwin, Carly (May 19, 2021). "Rutgers Students Opposed To Vaccine Mandate Hold Campus Protest". New Brunswick, NJ Patch. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  32. ↑ Lewis, Alexander (May 21, 2021). "'My body, my choice': Hundreds gather to oppose Rutgers' COVID vaccine mandate". MyCentralJersey.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  33. ↑ Dickler, Jessica (May 19, 2021). "Students protest mandatory Covid vaccinations at colleges". CNBC. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  34. ↑ Fernandez, Madison (June 17, 2021). "Why Parents At Indiana University Staged A Protest Against The School's Vaccine Mandate". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  35. ↑ Aratani, Lauren (May 31, 2021). "Backlash expected as hundreds of US colleges introduce vaccine mandates". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  36. ↑ Carnahan, Ashley (May 13, 2021). "Free speech group threatens legal action against college over denial of pro-liberty student club". The College Fix. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  37. ↑ Reynolds, Kyle (June 2, 2021). "ADF threatens legal action after college rejects student's YAL chapter proposal". www.campusreform.org. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  38. ↑ Taglianetti, Laura (March 10, 2021). "Skidmore student claims 'cancel culture campaign' prevented formation of conservative club". Fox News. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  39. ↑ Carnahan, Ashley (May 13, 2021). "Free speech group threatens legal action against college over denial of pro-liberty student club". The College Fix. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  40. 1 2 Carrasco, Maria (September 9, 2021). "Young libertarians protest vaccine mandates on campus". Inside Highered. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  41. ↑ Brown, Jon (September 8, 2021). "Libertarian student organization fighting 'unreasonable' campus vaccine mandates". Fox News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  42. ↑ "'Should be a personal choice': Rutgers students to rally against COVID vaccine mandate". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  43. ↑ Lewis, Alexander. "'My body, my choice': Hundreds gather to oppose Rutgers' COVID vaccine mandate". MyCentralJersey.com. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  44. ↑ Richardson, Valerie (March 24, 2021). "Colorado gun control laws failed to stop Boulder supermarket shooting". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  45. ↑ Foley, Ryan J. (April 20, 2021). "Biden faces long odds in push for more state 'red flag' laws". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  46. ↑ Schnell, Lindsay; Richards, Eric. "What happens when conservative school boards gain power at districts around the country". USA Today. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  47. ↑ Sadeghi, McKenzie (September 23, 2021). "Fact check: Shouting profanity about the president is protected by the First Amendment, legal experts say". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  48. ↑ "The American Revolution Q4 2022". Young Americans for Liberty. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  49. ↑ Pearce, Kate (March 20, 2024). "Young People Can Save Your Red Hot Freedom". FOX News Radio. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  50. ↑ Culvyhouse, Henry (March 5, 2025). "How a well-funded libertarian group pushed West Virginia toward loosening vaccine requirements". Mountain State Spotlight. Archived from the original on November 28, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  51. ↑ Ballantine, Chris (August 12, 2025). "Ron Paul, longtime activist, doctor and politician, celebrates 90th birthday". Durango Herald. Archived from the original on October 19, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Cliff Maloney". Politicon. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  53. ↑ Marie, Lindsay (November 12, 2018). "Five Words that Scare the Hell out of Socialists: 'Operation Win at the Door'". Townhall. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  54. ↑ Johnson, Brad (September 9, 2019). "Young Americans for Liberty Convention Galvanizes Attendees". The Texan. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  55. ↑ Lovelace, Ryan (February 3, 2020). "Bernie Sanders accused of stealing libertarian advocacy group's branding strategy". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  56. ↑ Beedle, Sean (March 22, 2024). "Libertarian Hazlitt Coalition Trains State Legislators to Target Public Schools". Colorado Times Recorder. Archived from the original on January 16, 2026. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  57. ↑ Patterson, Ted (September 13, 2022). "How Young Americans for Liberty Is Keeping the Republic Free". InsideSources. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  58. ↑ Wernau, Julie (April 9, 2021). "Vaccination Passports Are New Flashpoint in Covid-19 Pandemic". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  59. ↑ Carrasco, Maria (October 6, 2021). "Libertarian Students Fight Montana State Mask Mandate | Inside Higher Ed". Inside Highered. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  60. ↑ Lee, Ella (November 23, 2022). "'I-told-you-so moment': Young voter advocates urge parties to take them seriously after midterms". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  61. ↑ Roberts, Brandon (February 15, 2022). "Anti-vaccine mandate door hangers distributed". spectrumnews1.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  62. ↑ Mattila, Henri (June 24, 2022). "Young Americans for Liberty: An Interview with CEO Lauren Daugherty". Merion West. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  63. ↑ Clark, Charles S. (June 7, 2016). "IRS' List of Scrutinized Nonprofits Was Larger Than Previously Thought". Government Executive. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  64. ↑ Quinn, Melissa (March 22, 2014). "Young Americans for Liberty receives tax-exempt status after two-year delay". Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  65. ↑ Reilly, Clarke (April 26, 2014). "Hawaiian University Sued For Blocking Students From Passing Out Copies of the Constitution". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on April 30, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  66. 1 2 3 4 Hernandez, Noe. "Kellogg Community College will pay $55,000 to settle free-speech lawsuit". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Community college agrees to resolve free speech lawsuit". The Detroit News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  68. ↑ "Young Americans for Liberty v. Kellogg Community College". ADF Center for Academic Freedom. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  69. ↑ Schierbecker, Mark (May 30, 2016). "Young Americans for Liberty backtracks after staffer says it has blacklisted Milo Yiannopoulos". The College Fix. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016.
  70. ↑ Loughlin, Sue (September 11, 2018). "'America First' speaker provokes controversy at Rose-Hulman". Tribune Star. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  71. ↑ Loughlin, Sue (September 17, 2018). "Fuentes' appearance at Rose-Hulman scratched". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  72. ↑ Jaschik, Scott. "3 Arrested in Dorm Fire Incident at Tulane". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  73. ↑ MACALUSO, MICHELLE (March 29, 2019). "Louisiana college student claims he was the target of arson because of political beliefs". WSET. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  74. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (March 17, 2023). "Activist felt surprised, intimidated by Chuck Brannan during driveway confrontation". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  75. ↑ "2023 Reed Award Winners". Campaigns & Elections. Archived from the original on February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  76. ↑ "2024 Reed Award Winners". Campaigns & Elections. Archived from the original on February 21, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
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