Suzanne Swartz, identified at the rally as a speaker who was terminated by Ball State University, urged attendees to defend free speech and to push back against actions she described as chilling to public expression.

Swartz told the crowd she had been terminated from Ball State University on Sept. 17 for a post on her private social media page. “When I was first terminated from my job, I read some of the comment sections... The consequences of exercising our first amendment rights should not be so detrimental that we are afraid to exercise those rights in the first place,” Suzanne Swartz said.

Swartz described feeling that many people are hesitant to speak because of potential consequences and encouraged attendees to continue petitioning government and to keep communicating with elected officials. “The point of free speech and the other rights enshrined in the First Amendment is to allow open sharing of opinions and information with each other and with our government,” she said.

Nut graf: Swartz framed her termination as part of a wider pattern that discourages public employees and citizens from speaking out. She called on attendees to keep loving and supporting one another, to continue contacting elected officials, and to remain engaged in civic life despite fears of repercussion.

Ending: Swartz left the stage with organizers urging continued public involvement; subsequent speakers at the rally amplified calls to vote, volunteer, and organize at the precinct level.