A group of 20 Cal Poly students marched to the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse yesterday to rally in support of lowering the minimum legal drinking age from 21 to 18.
Organized by Do or Drink, an adult party game company, participants held signs and chanted slogans such as “Equal rights, equal drinks” and “Make America drink again.”
During the protest, the company promoted a petition directed toward U.S. President Joe Biden calling for the minimum legal drinking age to be lowered to 18 nationwide. QR codes on posters and signs directed onlookers to the petition, which has garnered over 550 signatures.
The organizers said that the petition aims to gather as many signatures as possible to bring the issue before lawmakers. For now, the group remains focused on raising awareness and encouraging others around the country to join the conversation.
The demonstration comes amidst broader national debates over legal age limits and the role of alcohol in American culture. Participants argued that the current minimum legal drinking age is an inconsistent aspect of U.S. law.
“We can vote at 18,” said Curtis Mantelzak, an environmental management and protection freshman who attended the rally. “There’s so much we’re allowed to do at 18, but drinking isn’t one of them.”
Attendees of the protest pointed to countries like Germany and France, where the minimum legal drinking age is lower, as examples of how cultural norms around drinking could shift with legal changes in the United States.
The event also highlighted how the current law creates obstacles for students studying in fields that directly involve alcohol. Wine and viticulture freshman Daniel You, who participated in the protest, explained how the minimum legal drinking age creates challenges for his education.
“We can try different wines in class, but outside of class, I can’t buy my own wines to learn,” You said.
Restrictions limit opportunities to practice and grow outside the structured environment of school, You said.
For Do or Drink, the event was more than just an advocacy effort, it was also a chance to connect with the community. Co-founder Xavi Fajardo described the protest as a mix of serious and lighthearted intentions.
“There’s a lot of seriousness, you know, serious political issues,” Fajardo said. “I thought this was a fun way to bring some laughter to people while also advocating for a real cause.”
Maggie Lee, a representative for Do or Drink and business administration senior, emphasized the event’s positive approach.
“It’s fun to bring everyone together and do something that people can agree on,” Lee said.