According to The Washington Free Beacon, the University of Virginia's Young America's Foundation (YAF) chapter recently hosted Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R) and National Review Editor Rich Lowry to discuss Thomas Jefferson's legacy. Kara Zupkus, program officer of public relations for the national YAF organization, says College Democrats tried to stop the event.
"Apparently people were pretty upset that at UVA we would dare to defend Thomas Jefferson," Zupkus accounts. "So everyone really just vandalized the posters, stole the posters, and actually organized a letter-writing campaign against the event."
Protesters claimed Jefferson was a "rapist" and called his defenders "racists." But despite their efforts, "Defending Mr. Jefferson" was a well-attended and civil event.
"There was actually standing room only," Zupkus reports. "We had over 150 people attend the event, which is awesome. And we actually did have a few people who disagreed with the event that attended and participated in the Q&A."
Zupkus finds it odd that those so opposed to President Jefferson would attend a university he founded.
