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Before a scheduled event with a guest speaker at the Memorial Union Quad today, April 3, individuals who came to campus to demonstrate against the speaker engaged in confrontations with members of a student organization and others who were present.

The ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù Police Department took one report of an assault. No one requested medical aid. The event with the guest speaker took place on schedule and was completed without further incident. The university protected the free speech rights of the campus community throughout the event. 

Turning Point USA at ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù, a registered student organization, invited Turning Point USA speaker Brandon Tatum to make comments on the quad at 1 p.m. About an hour before the talk was to begin, a group of about 30 demonstrators approached a tent and table staffed by those supporting the event.

A demonstrator struck one observer who approached the group with a camera phone. Other demonstrators pulled down the tent and engaged in shoving with those staffing the tent and others nearby. The demonstrators left the area, then returned a few minutes later and again sought to remove a tent set up on the quad.  

²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù police are investigating. No one has been arrested at this time. 

The university makes every effort to ensure that events on campus are safe. Student Affairs coordinated with Turning Point USA at ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù, Safety Services and other campus departments to create a safety plan for the event. The campus is reviewing its preparations for this event.

²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù condemns all forms of violence. The university affirms and supports the right of our students to invite speakers to our campus, to express their views, and to peacefully protest speakers whose views they find upsetting or offensive. Those engaged in speech activity must comply with federal and state laws and campus policies protecting lawful access to university programs and facilities.