Students take mug shots, raise awareness for criminal injustice

The University of Tennessee’s chapter of Young Americans for Liberty held the event “Incarceration Nation” to raise awareness about the injustices in the United States’ criminal justice system on Pedestrian Walkway from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7.

Westin Brown standing in front of the Young Americans for Liberty table on Pedestrian Walkway.

As part of “Incarceration Nation,” students had the opportunity to take mug shots in a mock jail as a way to show their support for criminal justice reform.

Cassidy Morelock, sophomore majoring in political science, said she hopes events like this will raise awareness for the unjust treatment of criminals in the system.

“It brings attention to the unfair treatment of the criminals,” said Morelock. “Like for example, we have someone who is sentenced to 55 years in prison for selling marijuana, we think that’s unjust.”

Another activity that Young Americans for Liberty had during “Incarceration Nation” was a “free speech” wall, where students could write anything they wanted as a way to exercise their First Amendment right, and they also gave a political quiz to help students have a better understanding of their political stance.

Young Americans for Liberty chart that was used to tell students where they possibly stand on political issues.

Westin Brown, sophomore and political science major, said that he encourages other students who are interested in improving America’s liberties to look into their organization.

“Our organization is both about economic and personal liberty,” said Brown. “We’re here on campus, we meet on Wednesday nights and if you have any liberty causes at all we would like to see you come out.”

For more information about UT’s chapter of Young Americans for Liberty, visit their Facebook page.

Edited by Hannah Hunnicutt