Incident at Illinois State University
The assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on September 10 didn’t deter conservative groups on college campuses; students across the nation continue to host events, which seems to frustrate the left.
Recently, a 27-year-old assistant at Illinois State University reportedly attacked a TPUSA booth where students were promoting their organization and an upcoming event on October 20.
The incident featured Derek Lopez, a teaching assistant from El Paso, Illinois. In a video, he confronted conservative students and, in a rather bizarre moment, seemed to liken his actions to those of Jesus, saying, “Jesus did it, so you know I have to do it, right?” It looked as if he struck one of the students in the face with a pie.
Lopez’s social media included a tweet stating, “A reminder to students who see a TPUSA chapter on campus. That’s a Nazi.”
In the footage, Lopez can be seen pulling a table over and ripping off an event flyer. He later seemed to acknowledge the incident in an Instagram post.
Following the altercation, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon criticized the act, labeling it outrageous and questioning the university’s response.
The next day, the university released a statement emphasizing its commitment to diverse perspectives and confirmed that Lopez was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.
Chief Aaron Woodruff of the ISU Police Department stated they are dedicated to protecting First Amendment rights on campus, urging community members to educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities regarding free speech.
Lopez is expected to face further charges and potential disciplinary actions from the university.
In a related comment, Alex Stein noted that the incident reflects a broader pattern of violence from the radical left towards conservative students. He mentioned it is disheartening that such behaviors have become so common, reinforcing the notion that some on the left struggle to control their impulses when confronted with opposing views.
