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Hello Americans, I’m Todd Starnes. Stand by for news and commentary next.
There were violent clashes outside a Turning Point USA event at UC Davis in California. At least one conservative student was assaulted during the melee.
Black Conservative Stephen Davis – also known as MAGA Hulk – was the keynote speaker.
As many as 100 protestors clashed outside the event hall. Conservatives were beaten and doused with pepper spray.
Turning Point eventually canceled the speech over safety concerns.
“Our hearts go out to the student who was so viciously attacked, and we are truly saddened by the state of college campuses across the country,” TPUSA said in a statement. “Speech is violence when it is an opposing ideology, but actual violence committed on behalf of radical leftists is time and time again permitted by institutions that used to value open dialogue.”
Charlie Kirk – the co-founder of TPUSA – said it was apparent that campus police were unable to disperse the violent agitators.
“Once again, outside ‘protestors’ with zero connection to our organization or students used violence to disrupt our campus free speech event. Reports from our field team indicate that the conflict began when Antifa showed up and provoked attendees entering the venue. As an official school affiliated club, TPUSA regularly hosts outside speakers, working in advance with administrators and campus police to ensure a safe environment for everyone involved.
Sadly, on this occasion, the bad guys won and rather than risk any further escalation of violence, our chapter leadership decided to cancel the event when it became apparent campus PD was unable to disperse the violent agitators outside while also keeping our students safe inside. This is a great loss for free speech, our speaker Stephen Davis, and for the students at UC Davis. TPUSA condemns all violence and refuses to be cowed by those who use threats and intimidation to stop conservatives on campus.”
TPUSA
There were signs of possible violence in the days leading up to the event when critics tore down flyers and posted warnings that Turning Point was racist, homophobic and anti-immigrant.
The warnings also called on students to make it known that Turning Point USA is not welcome at U.C. Davis.
The university condemned the violence but clearly did nothing to ensure that conservatives would be able to hold their event.
Students attempting to attend a @TPUSA event @ucdavis are assaulted including pepper sprayed right outside school doors by antifa terrorists….Yet the school doesn’t mention it in their statement… curious why, anyone else? https://t.co/y9jE5OFELG pic.twitter.com/hUkDD3laAT
— Austin Nealeigh (@AustinN) October 26, 2022
“As a public university, we are committed to the First Amendment, and we are required to uphold it,” the statement read. “We affirm the right of our students — in this instance, Turning Point USA at UC Davis — to invite speakers to our campus, just as we affirm the right of others to protest speakers whose views they find upsetting or offensive.”
The university alleged – without proof – that Proud Boys were among those protesting.
“The health and the well-being of our community is our priority. In preparing for tonight’s speaker and activities, we worked with the students to create a secure environment, including a safety plan, where freedom of speech could be exercised, including for those wishing to protest the speaker. UC Davis Student Affairs staff attended the event to provide education about student expression and to encourage respectful and productive dialogue,” the statement read.
The way I see it – any public university that refuses to protect free speech should lose their federal funding.
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