Conservative students at one of the most liberal universities in the country are pushing forward with a Turning Point USA event that founder Charlie Kirk was scheduled to headline before he was assassinated. John Paul Leon, a junior at University of California Berkeley and president of the university’s Turning Point USA chapter, told Fox News Digital that the day they planned to announce Kirk’s campus visit was the same day he was killed. Since then, Leon and the national Turning Point USA organization have been working to ensure the event moves forward. The event will take place on November 10, two months to the day after Kirk’s Sept. 10 assassination while speaking at Utah Valley University during his ‘American Comeback Tour.’ The event will feature comedian and filmmaker Rob Schneider and Christian author Frank Turek in place of Kirk. Leon emphasized that the chapter has faced intensified backlash, including campus-wide posters calling them ‘fascists’ and ‘Zionists,’ with some rhetoric deemed more sinister since Kirk’s assassination. UC Berkeley’s Assistant Vice Chancellor Dan Mogulof stated that the university supports the rights of all speakers to participate in events hosted by student organizations, with the event taking place in Zellerbach Hall, a venue rented by the chapter and qualifying as a major event due to its expected audience of over 300 people.
Leon noted that the chapter has seen a surge in membership since Kirk’s assassination, with many students who were not previously part of the chapter expressing newfound interest in its mission. He described the atmosphere as one of both fear and determination, with the chapter’s members feeling a strong need to continue Kirk’s legacy despite the risks. The event will enforce a no-bag policy and implement strict safety measures, as Leon mentioned that internal meetings have been dedicated solely to securing the event. The campus environment has been described as ‘somber’ due to the tragic nature of Kirk’s death, but the chapter remains committed to honoring his memory. Leon believes the current situation represents a spiritual battle, echoing Kirk’s own views on the importance of ideological conviction. Despite the challenges, the chapter continues to move forward with its plans, demonstrating a resilience that reflects both its members’ commitment and the broader impact of Kirk’s assassination on campus dynamics.