Videos shared on social media show chaos erupting when a reporter for a conservative organization clashed with protesters near a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Washington in Seattle. The altercation occurred during a planned event featuring Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was at UW for a Q&A session and speech when a bloody melee involving one of his reporters broke out. Videos show a scuffle involving a Turning Point staffer and a group of masked individuals taunting Kirk. It was unclear how the brawl escalated or who initiated the violence, but Kirk stated that his reporter and a security guard were attacked by the masked group.
Regarding the incident, UW spokesperson Victor Balta stated that it is under investigation, with UW Police working to keep the TPUSA event and other areas of campus safe. Turning Point representatives were contacted for comment, but no response was provided. In a post on social media, the reporter, Jonathan Choe, criticized the university’s leaders and Governor Jay Inslee over the incident, calling out “Antifa militants” and questioning why far-left activists were allowed to camp on the campus. The protesters, part of a nationwide pro-Palestinian movement, have been demanding divestment from companies supporting Israel and a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Demonstrations in support of Palestine have been occurring nationwide on college campuses, with protesters calling for divestment and an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The pro-Palestinian movement escalated after protesters at Columbia University in New York City were arrested for setting up a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.” Since then, hundreds of protesters have been arrested nationwide at university encampments. The protesters have made demands for institutions to divest from companies supporting Israel and for a permanent ceasefire to end the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Choe referred to the protesting group as “Antifa militants” and urged university officials and the governor to clear the encampment at UW, which was set up as part of the pro-Palestinian movement. He criticized the presence of left-wing activists on campus and called for action to address the situation. The altercation between Turning Point USA staffers and the pro-Palestinian group occurred near the encampment at UW, adding to the tension surrounding the demonstrations and calls for divestment from companies supporting Israel.
The incident involving Turning Point USA and pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Washington in Seattle highlighted the growing tensions on college campuses regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The clash between the conservative group’s reporter and the masked individuals, believed to be part of Antifa, resulted in violence and raised questions about campus safety and the presence of political demonstrations. As the investigation continues, both sides are standing by their actions and calling for accountability from university officials and government leaders to address the situation and ensure campus safety.
