Dr. Frank Turek, a prominent Christian author and president of CrossExamined.org, is preparing for a major event at UC Berkeley, where he claims the university has shifted from fostering free speech to actively suppressing it. Turek, who has been a close mentor to Charlie Kirk since 2020, said he was particularly eager to attend the final stop of TPUSA’s ‘This Is the Turning Point’ tour at Berkeley, a city known for its progressive stance. He expressed disappointment at the campus’s current environment, where he believes free speech is being stifled rather than encouraged. ‘Berkeley in 1964 and 1965 was very key in getting rid of the suppression of free speech on college campuses. And now it’s come full circle that many people on the Berkeley campus want to suppress free speech,’ Turek said, pointing out the irony of progressive advocates who claim to champion tolerance while excluding diverse viewpoints.
Turek criticized the presence of posters around campus that label attendees of the TPUSA event as ‘fascists,’ which he said are emblematic of the university’s current climate. He emphasized that while TPUSA faces accusations of being fascist, he argues that the organization fosters open dialogue and evidence-based discussion, in contrast to groups that seek to silence opponents. ‘That’s not fascism to have a conversation with somebody and to tell people who disagree with you to come to the front of the line so you could make your case,’ Turek said, explaining that true extremism lies in the actions of those who use violence or censorship to suppress dissent, such as the attack that claimed Kirk’s life in September.
Despite the controversy, Turek urged Christians to be bold in defending their values and participate in politics, as the policies enacted in Washington, state, and local governments can impact the ability to express and live one’s faith. ‘If you’re concerned about expressing your religious viewpoint and living your religious viewpoint, you have to be involved in politics because the laws that are made in Washington, your state, and your local governments, can affect whether or not you can speak out and whether or not you could live your faith,’ he said. He added, ‘We’re just supposed to do what’s right and leave the results to God.’ Meanwhile, a university spokesperson denied any official connection to the controversial posters, stating, ‘The posters you mention (which have been removed) are connected to an external group that has no affiliation with the university.’ This situation has intensified the free speech debate on campuses, with critics and supporters alike weighing in on the evolving dynamics of campus discourse and governance.