Antifa is stating that its goals are to protect students from potential violent protests, yet fail to denote that Antifa or other left-wing groups, both violent and nonviolent, have led most of the protests that have occurred against Kirk.
By Sean David Hartman
Turning Point UCF is one of the youngest political RSOs at the University of Central Florida, but thanks to the leadership of Marc Canup and Cristina Del Rosso, the organization has been able to bring in big names and big controversy within its first few months.
Coming off the heels of hosting Yaron Brooks and Dave Rubin, Turning Point UCF will be bringing their national founder, Charlie Kirk on April 10th. Kirk is the brains behind the Turning Point operation, using his connections to turn his conservative activism into a national student movement.
The talk will feature Kirk exposing what Turning Point USA is referring to as “liberal lies and progressive propaganda.”
Kirk has spoken to several conservative campus groups, usually brought on by his organization Turning Point, to discuss the vices of socialism, with debates and discussions he has at these institutions many times going viral.
“We will be discussing everything from America being the greatest country on Earth to the dangers of socialism, so be sure to come and bring questions!” Kirk told the Central Florida Post.
Kirk is not without controversy, as local Antifa chapters are already pledging to protest Kirk under false accusations that he is a white supremacist.
“UCF, are you aware that Charlie Kirk’s last event was disrupted by violent neo-Nazis,” Orlando Antifa falsely claims.
Central Florida Post founder Jacob Engels will conduct a live-interview with Kirk at the event, and cover any demonstrations from protesters.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to bring some hard truths of the University of Central Florida despite increasing Antifa threats surrounding my appearance,” Kirk told the Post.
Antifa is stating that its goals are to protect students from potential violent protests, yet fail to denote that Antifa or other left-wing groups, both violent and nonviolent, have led most of the protests that have occurred against Kirk.
“It is surprising groups call us fascist when we defend everyone’s constitutional rights,” said Cristina Del Rosso, Campus Coordinator for Turning Point USA and one of the founders of the UCF chapter.
“Turning Point USA aims to educate people on the importance of limited government and free markets,” continued Cristina, stating their organization “fiercely defends the First Amendment, but we do not support the use of violence to shut down events.”
Conservatives on UCF’s campus have been harassed before, with threats made to both individual conservative students and conservative groups that have been reported on by this publication and Campus Reform.
“We are working with the UCF Police Department and UCF officials to ensure a safe environment for attendees and students.”
Despite their threats, it is highly unlikely that Orlando Antifa will engage in violent activity. Unlike other colleges, the University of Central Florida, at least on its face, support diverse political dialogue, and have hosted and secured far more controversial speakers, such as Milo Yiannapoulos.
“I encourage students to challenge my positions as well as their own,” said Kirk, “I hope to see some of my detractors there for a healthy debate.”
Sean David Hartman is a freelance reporter for the Central Florida Post, with a wide portfolio ranging from entertainment to politics. He is a centrist political operative and blogger and a student at UCF. Hartman is autistic and bipolar, and supports the neurodiversity movement.