Young Americans for Liberty’s ‘Revolution 2021’ their best national conference yet

I have spoken at almost every Young Americans for Liberty conference. Each has always impressed in its own way. But after finishing this year’s Revolution 2021 in Orlando, I can tell you with confidence that it was the best national conference YAL has ever presented.

For starters, it was the largest.

.@Snowden: “The pandemic will end, but the rights that we lose by submitting to emergency orders will be lost forever.” #Rev21 pic.twitter.com/8xg81rExVA

— Eric Brakey (@SenatorBrakey) August 5, 2021

Over 1000 students attended this year, where they had an opportunity to hear from such liberty luminaries as exiled whistleblower hero Edward Snowden, Fox Business’ Kennedy, WWE wrestling star and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and of course, the man himself, Ron Paul.

Paul was predictably the biggest hit of the weekend, where organizers kept telling the students that Dr. Paul would be doing a livestream since travel was too difficult.

He did do a livestream Friday night... for about ten seconds—then the video shut off, the lights went down and Guns n’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” blared. When Paul hit the stage, the students lost their minds.

See for yourself. Here are some reaction tweets.

The crowd went WILD for @RonPaul! #RonPaul is a living legend. ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/3ba22hJYBt

— Martha Bueno (@MarthaBueno18) August 7, 2021

CHILLS. MY HEART LITERALLY STOPPED. @YALiberty @RonPaul pic.twitter.com/X2unf4php0

— Rachel ♥️ (@RachBoogaloo) August 7, 2021

My dream has finally been actualized. The man, the myth, the legend, @RonPaul #Rev21 pic.twitter.com/d5USRPt60g

— Jenni Thee Libertarian (@theeliberty) August 7, 2021

Texas Republican rockstar Don Huffines was a big hit, as was Virginia liberty Republican Nick Freitas and others. I was fortunate to take part in a criminal justice reform breakout session Friday morning and also a Ron Paul movement circa 2008 retrospective with my old friends, Michael Maresco, Tom Woods and YAL spokesman Eric Brakey.

Perhaps my favorite part about any YAL convention over the years is that I don’t know most of the people there. Of course, there is the YAL staff and some guest speakers that I have met multiple times over the years. Of course, I do know at least some of the students and other young people who come.

One of the wildest introductions ever. Totally faked me out. It was an amazing privilege to be able to hear Ron Paul speak in person once again. The energy in this room at #Rev21 was insane. pic.twitter.com/vHNFrKUgPj

— Liam McCollum (@MLiamMcCollum) August 7, 2021

But not knowing most of them means the liberty movement is alive. Having more attendees than ever means it’s growing. Seeing only the same old faces would just be a reunion, not a movement.

My reaction to @RonPaul ft. my neon nails ?? #Rev21 pic.twitter.com/hRfaOAI3he

— Jenni Thee Libertarian (@theeliberty) August 7, 2021

Holding such a successful and inspiring event post-pandemic, in a time when more Americans than ever now understand intimately how quickly their liberties can be taken, bodes well for our future. Libertarians should capitalize by speaking to the millions of Americans who today probably guard their liberty more jealously than ever.

Onward and upward. Young Americans for Liberty should be a primary force in shaping whatever comes next.