Student shares stage with prominent political voices at Rally for Israel

Liberty University student Chelsea Andrews, senior class president and president of Liberty’s chapter of Young Women for America, shared the stage with several notable figures at the Rally for Israel in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Oct. 5. Andrews was the only student invited to speak at the rally.

“I was incredibly humbled,” Andrews said. “Seeing my name on promotional material with names like Gov. Mike Huckabee, (television host and political commentator) Erick Stakelbeck, Congressman Trent Franks, Penny Nance, the president and CEO of Concerned Women for America (CWA), and many more was surreal.”

Andrews spoke out on behalf of pro-Israel college students across the nation, some of whom she said are receiving death threats for their stance.

Several Liberty students attended the rally, where they had the opportunity to connect with notable political voices.

She explained that the atmosphere across college campuses in America is increasingly anti-Semitic and anti-Christian. She encouraged students across the country to stand up for what is right, even if it is not popular.

“It was very encouraging that so many Liberty students expressed interest in the pro-Israel cause,” Andrews said after the event. She noted that Christian friends of hers from other schools were very encouraged by Liberty’s strong turnout.

The rally was held at Upper Senate Park, near the U.S. Capitol. Approximately 80 Liberty students traveled to the event on buses sponsored by the Helms School of Government and CWA.

Nance, a Liberty alumna, organized the Stand for Israel rally with Huckabee to unite the public against the rising hatred and violence toward the nation of Israel and those of Jewish descent. Nance and alumna Alison Howard (’11), CWA’s communications director, first invited students to attend the event when they visited Liberty’s Convocation on Sept. 12. Only one bus was originally planned, but student interest was so high that within hours of the invitation a second bus was added.

“The response was fantastic from Liberty’s students,” said Dr. Stephen Parke, residential associate dean of the Helms School of Government. “They were energized and excited for the opportunity to go up and stand for Israel. It showed the world how active and action-oriented Liberty students are.”

Twin brothers David and Jason Benham, Liberty alumni, were also featured guests at the rally. The brothers were in the news this past spring after their planned HGTV show was cancelled due to their stance on biblical values. They will be speaking in Convocation on Wednesday.