ITHACA — A thumping band and cheering standing-room-only crowd greeted Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul at Cornell University’s Lynah Rink on Thursday night.

 About 4,500 people were on hand to hear the Republican presidential candidate and Texas congressional representative’s libertarian message. 

 Paul spoke about his belief that civil liberties are eroding in America, and he railed against the Stop Internet Piracy Act, which critics have called significant erosion to civil rights. 

 “We have to keep the Internet free, and we need access to it,” Paul said. “The time of liberty has come, and we will not be silenced.” 

 Paul criticized government regulation on industry, the war on drugs, defense spending and what he characterized as lacking media coverage of his campaign rallies. The latter received a roaring response from attendees cheering “President Paul!”