Students at William & Mary start a Turning Point USA chapter despite opposition from classmates

William & Mary Students Start Turning Point USA Chapter Amid Backlash

Students at the College of William & Mary, which is the second oldest university in the U.S., are establishing a Turning Point USA chapter. This decision has sparked significant backlash on social media and among their peers.

Olivia Keller, a sophomore at the college, shared with Fox News Digital that while the university’s administration has been supportive, her fellow students have not. A lot of the criticism seems to be happening on YikYak, a social media app, where she thinks students feel more comfortable criticizing the club from behind a screen rather than face-to-face.

“There has been a lot of discussion among students about that platform,” Keller noted, adding that many have made derogatory comments towards the club, especially following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It’s been pretty disheartening. There’s a stark difference between online comments and what people might say in person.

Keller mentioned that after she became aware of plans for a protest against their group, she contacted campus security. “I had no previous experience with protests. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of scale or potential disruption,” she said. “We just felt that having security at the meeting was necessary.”

After posting about Kirk’s assassination, Keller observed a noticeable drop in her social media following. “Around 200 friends unfollowed me on Instagram,” she explained. Charlie Kirk was tragically killed on September 10 during an event in Utah.

Keller also pointed out that conservative students tend to navigate a tougher environment on campus. “Even College Republicans have faced their share of backlash,” she remarked. Reflecting on past elections, she mentioned how students received harsh responses when they wore pro-Trump gear.

Despite feeling like a “closeted conservative” in earlier years, Keller has now decided to speak out. “I was worried about being criticized or attacked if I expressed my views,” she admitted.

Her advice for others wanting to form conservative clubs at lean-left institutions is straightforward: “Be bold.” She believes it’s crucial to stand firm in one’s beliefs, noting that this can ultimately help in finding a community that shares similar values.