A teaching assistant at Illinois State University, Derek Lopez, has been fired after flipping the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter’s table twice, sparking a viral incident. The university confirmed his removal from his graduate teaching assistant position pending further investigation. Lopez was also arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.
Lopez’s actions came after escalating confrontations with TPUSA members, with the first incident occurring on October 13 and a second one on October 17. Matt Saner, the vice president of TPUSA at Illinois State University, described the first incident as a ‘cinematic movie’ and the second as a situation where he had to step in to prevent the table from being flipped again.
The university’s administration and campus police have stated their support for the TPUSA chapter, emphasizing the importance of free speech and civil discourse. Police Chief Aaron Woodruff noted the importance of protecting First Amendment rights while ensuring campus safety.
Lopez, who had previously exhibited hostility toward conservative students, was accused of disrupting a second informational table hosted by a student group. The case is pending, and additional charges and university disciplinary action may follow.