Students in Rhode Island Form Chapter of Turning Point USA Following Teacher’s Comments

At a high school in Rhode Island, students have initiated a Turning Point USA chapter to uphold conservative values and foster free expression after some teachers made derogatory remarks about Charlie Kirk following his assassination.

Brayden Ryan, the chapter’s vice president at Barrington High School, shared that his motivation stemmed from the comments made by a teacher on TikTok, just after Kirk’s death. The teacher expressed a lack of remorse for Kirk’s assassination, labeling him as hateful.

The incident occurred on September 10, shortly after Kirk was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. A social studies teacher, Benjamin Philo, posted a video claiming Kirk “hates the LGBTQ community” and “hates women’s rights.”

After posting the video, Philo, who was later placed on administrative leave, referred to Kirk as “a piece of trash” and encouraged viewers to see the consequences of his words.

In response to these events, Nicole Solas, a conservative activist and mother, sought access to Philo’s curriculum and other teaching materials, only to be quoted a staggering $117,132 for the records by Barrington Public Schools.

Solas, who lives in a different district where her children attend private schools, had previously faced legal challenges from the NEA of Rhode Island over similar public records requests.

Ryan noted that starting the Turning Point chapter was a challenge given the local political climate but emphasized a need for a safe space for conservative discourse among students.

“We should provide a free and safe space for other conservative students to express their values, be it political or religious,” he said.

Caleb Kaplan, president of the U.S. chapter of Turning Point, acknowledged that there are supporters of their initiative, but some individuals are actively seeking the reinstatement of Philo.

He didn’t name anyone involved, but it’s clear that there is a counter-campaign underway. Kaplan mentioned that their group is committed to dealing with any backlash in a respectful manner.

“We don’t repay hate with hate,” Kaplan stated, emphasizing their focus on increasing involvement and outreach.

A spokeswoman for the Barrington School District commented that students are encouraged to explore new clubs reflective of their interests. She explained that the process for forming student organizations, including Turning Point USA, follows established protocols and that several clubs are currently in the approval phase.

Fox News Digital also attempted to reach Philo for his perspective on these developments.