First appearance on Fox: Rutgers University is supporting a faculty member who endorsed an online petition seeking to disband the campus chapter of Turning Point USA.
A Change.org petition launched recently alleges that the conservative group is “promoting hate speech and inciting violence against our community.”
While the full list of signers isn’t accessible to the public, each petition features a rotating list of “Recent Signatories” at the top.
Fox News Digital observed that Tia Kolbaba, an associate professor of religion at Rutgers, signed this petition aimed at expelling right-wing organizations.
A spokesperson for Rutgers stated, “The university is dedicated to maintaining a safe environment for learning, teaching, research, and work, where members can express their views free from intimidation.” They emphasized Rutgers’ commitment to free speech and academic freedom. “We do not comment on specific personnel or student conduct issues,” the statement ended.
Kolbaba has yet to reply to inquiries for her perspective.
This petition emerged about a month after the assassination of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. His suspected assailant, Tyler Robinson, reportedly made incendiary remarks and used cartridges featuring leftist slogans.
Members of the Turning Point USA chapter at Rutgers denounced the petition on Wednesday.
“This petition is blatantly defamatory,” Eva Kwan, outreach coordinator for the Rutgers chapter, claimed. “Allegations of ‘inciting violence’ and ‘threatening’ are entirely unfounded. The same individuals alleging we suppress free speech are actively working to silence us, which is not only ironic but also hypocritical.”
Last week, the Turning Point chapter initiated its own petition calling for the dismissal of Mark Bray, a Rutgers professor often referred to as “Dr. Antifa.” Bray is known for his book, Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, which advocates for “militant anti-fascism.”
He’s also been accused of financially supporting Antifa, stating in his book that “at least 50 percent of the author’s proceeds will be donated to the International Antifascist Defense Fund.”
Recently, Bray revealed that he and his wife plan to move to Spain due to perceived threats amid a crackdown on Antifa by the Trump administration.
He explained his concern stemmed from a secretive address disclosure and threats to his life.
A petition to disband Rutgers’ TPUSA indicates the group is implicated in Bray’s fears for his family’s safety due to the harassment and intimidation they allegedly face.
Kwan challenged this assertion, pointing out that no evidence supports it. “Any dissenting opinion is labeled ‘hate speech,’ a vague term used to stifle opposition and shield false narratives,” she remarked. “This petition, along with Bray’s withdrawal and insights from disillusioned leftists at Rutgers, reveals their realization: they are losing ground.”
