A gay activist named Tyler Robinson has been accused of killing Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. According to legal documents, Robinson alleged that Kirk was “spreading hatred” before the mass shooting that took place on September 10 at Utah Valley University.
Now, similar accusations are being directed at the TPUSA student chapter at Rutgers University, as certain groups are pushing to curb what they consider hateful speech on campus.
Background
Mark Bray, an assistant professor at Rutgers, has a complex history. He has publicly defended the group Antifa and its use of violence. Bray authored a book in 2017 titled “Antifa: An Anti-Fascist Handbook.”
He believes that “Only collective anti-fascism, legal or not, can save us,” and he has made comments about what he perceives to be liberal ideologies.
Recently, the Rutgers chapter of TPUSA faced backlash when Bray was mentioned in a petition. Megyn Doyle, the chapter’s Treasurer, stated, “We, the students of Rutgers University, are deeply concerned to learn that Dr. Mark Bray, a known and outspoken member of Antifa, is employed by our university.”
Concerns have been raised about Bray’s influence and the rhetoric he uses. The petition called attention to Bray’s claim that mainstream conservatives, like Bill O’Reilly, are fascists and his calls for militant action, linking it to the violence that resulted in Kirk’s assassination.
The petition also pointed out that Bray plans to donate half of the proceeds from his book to the International Anti-Fascist Defense Fund, which supports Antifa activists globally.
After facing allegations of extremism, Bray has portrayed himself as a victim in liberal media, even hinting he may have considered fleeing abroad. “I have never been and am not a member of any Antifa group,” Bray stated. “There is an ongoing effort to portray me as someone who practices what I study, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Support for Bray
In response, left-wing students and faculty at Rutgers rallied behind Bray. Various academic unions condemned the TPUSA student chapter’s attempt to have him removed from his position. They criticized the student chapter, claiming it was behind threats Bray reportedly received.
The unions issued a statement saying, “The threats against Dr. Bray are the predictable outcome of Turning Point’s campaign to distort Dr. Bray’s views. Silence in the face of these attacks only emboldens the far right.”
A petition on Change.org, which has gathered over 3,500 signatures, has surfaced, pushing for the disbandment of the Rutgers TPUSA chapter.
The petition alleges that the TPUSA chapter continues to promote hate speech and incite violence. It emphasizes the need for a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Eva Kwan, outreach coordinator for the TPUSA chapter, dismissed the petition as defamatory, arguing that accusations of inciting violence were unfounded. Kwan criticized the groups opposing their chapter, suggesting they label differing opinions as “hate speech.” She contended this is an attempt to control the narrative.
When asked if the university was contemplating any actions against the TPUSA chapter, Rutgers clarified it does not discuss specific personnel matters but is committed to protecting free speech on campus.
