Officials from Rutgers University’s chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) are reacting to a petition started by tech developers that calls for the group’s disbandment, labeling the petition as “blatantly defamatory.” Eva Kwan, the outreach coordinator for the chapter, voiced her frustration, stating that the claims of “inciting violence” or “threatening” are completely unfounded. She believes the individuals who accuse them of stifling free speech are, in fact, trying to silence those who express their views.
The petition on Change.org alleges that the TPUSA chapter promotes “hate speech” and fosters a “toxic environment.” Organized by Alexander Di Filippo, who has a background in game design and creative writing, it expresses concern over the group’s impact on the community.
Furthermore, the petition claims that actions taken by the TPUSA chapter have forced at least one professor to leave the country due to intimidation and harassment. Kwan countered these accusations, stating that terms like “hate speech” are often misused to suppress opposition and protect false narratives.
Last week, the TPUSA chapter initiated its own petition to remove Professor Mark Bray from Rutgers, citing his previous support for Antifa as a point of concern. Bray, the author of *Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook*, has expressed intentions to relocate his family to Europe over security worries stemming from these tensions.
Megyn Doyle, a Rutgers student and treasurer of the TPUSA chapter, described Di Filippo’s petition as defamatory and indicative of the challenges conservative students face when voicing their concerns. She asserted that their intention is not to threaten, but rather to inform others about Bray’s controversial stance and its implications for the university community.
Doyle criticized the petition against the TPUSA chapter, claiming it doesn’t genuinely reflect concerns for free speech but rather seeks to silence conservative thoughts. Fox News Digital has reached out to both Rutgers University and Di Filippo for their perspectives on the matter.
