Things got crazy at the University of California-Davis when a gaggle of masked protesters assaulted college conservatives and Turning Point USA staff during a Turning Point “Prove Me Wrong” event featuring guest speaker Brandon Tatum. The rampaging protesters destroyed a tent, camera gear, and signage while also assaulting staff, leading to major outrage online.
As background, the UC Davis chapter of Turning Point has invited Tatum, a prominent conservative YouTube personality, to speak at the “Prove Me Wrong” event in the early afternoon on Friday, April 4. However, about an hour before the event was to begin, a group of dozens of masked leftists showed up and started assaulting the staff while trying to tear down the tent and other infrastructure for the event.
Describing the incident in post on X, Turning Point described the damage done by the masked activists, saying, “Our ‘Prove Me Wrong’ tabling event with @TheOfficerTatum at UC Davis was completely destroyed by violent protesters. They stole the canopy, ripped down banners, smashed foam boards, and even tried to steal the iPad and laptop of a @tpusastudents field rep.”
Continuing, the conservative organization commented on what the event showed, noting that the campus cops did nothing to protect free speech on campus until the attackers were done damaging what had been set up for the event. It wrote, “TPUSA students were shoved and had objects thrown at them—while police did nothing. Only after the damage was done did law enforcement finally form a perimeter. This is the reality of free speech on campus.”
Similarly, Turning Point USA Founder Charlier Kirk described the event and commented on what the orgnaization’s staff members experienced. He said, “
BREAKING: ANTIFA has vandalized a TPUSA tabling event featuring @TheOfficerTatum, destroying our camera gear, tent, event signage, flipping tables, and assaulting our staff. We are extremely lucky no one was seriously injured in the melee. While our people were under attack, police stood aside and did nothing. Our team is understandably shaken up, but they assure me they will not back down.”
Building on that, Kirk commented on the general state of things at UC Davis, saying, “UC Davis is probably the most militant school in the country, with the largest Antifa presence. When I spoke there in March of 2023, Antifa foot soldiers vandalized the school, smashed windows and fought the police. What we have is a pattern, with no signs of improvement.”
Concluding, Kirk noted that these sorts of attacks on conservatives have been going on for far too long, saying, “This has gone on long enough. Violent vigilantes like these only fester and grow when they’re allowed to act with impunity like at UC Davis. Arrests need to be made. Radical anarchists will keep resorting to more and more violence if they think doing so will stop conservatives from speaking. UC Davis must credibly show they are willing to protect the constitutional right to free speech and free assembly on a public campus. If they won’t, then the Trump Administration should investigate their continued receipt of federal taxpayer dollars. Get it fixed, @ucdavis”
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Watch a video of the assault here:
Denouncing the attack after it occurred, the US Davis Chancellor issued a statement on what happened and described it as unacceptable and abominable. He said, “I want to unequivocally denounce the violence that occurred yesterday on the UC Davis campus during a student-sponsored event. What happened was appalling and completely unacceptable. There is zero tolerance for violence on our campuses — zero. I have been briefed and have viewed some of the video footage of the incident. It remains unclear whether the masked perpetrators were outside agitators or individuals affiliated with the university. Regardless of their affiliation, all steps will be taken to hold those who were responsible accountable for their actions.”
Continuing, he claimed to support free speech on campus, writing, “Let me be clear: Those who were attacked did nothing but express themselves, in a non-violent manner. They were peacefully expressing their views — as is their right — and they should be able to do so without fear, intimidation or violence. We are firmly committed to supporting free expression and open dialogue on our campus. That commitment does not — and will never — extend to acts of violence or intimidation.”
A bit later, he ended the statement by vowing consequences and again denouncing what happened, saying, “In addition, the independent Police Accountability Board will review complaints and will have access to videos that have been posted publicly and camera footage from our campus. Yesterday’s incident was disappointing and embarrassing. We will take the necessary steps to ensure that our campus remains a place where ideas can be freely expressed without fear of violence.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video