Antifa protesters at the University of Washington were prevented from disrupting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s Q&A session on Wednesday. Patriotic students challenged masked, umbrella carrying, Antifa to a push-up contest.
The small group of protesters at the event were seen dressed in all black holding black umbrellas and Palestinian flags. They attempted to speak over a megaphone but were largely ignored as Kirk’s event continued.
Heightened security measures came in response to threats against the event made by the Gaza camp protesters on campus, who had demanded the cancellation of the TPUSA event, claiming that a speech by Kirk would be “endangering students.”
University officials previously disclosed that representatives from the anti-Israel encampment had engaged in initial discussions with members of the administration regarding the planned event. However, the Turning Point event had been scheduled months in advance and it was permitted to move forward as originally planned.
Ahead of Kirk's appearance, a call-to-action flyer circulated on social media, bearing the Antifa logo, urging protesters to attend the event in "black bloc" attire and to "disrupt, reject and oppose White Supremacy, Zionism, and Christian Nationalism,” attempting to associate Kirk with these labels.
The Gaza camp at UW, similar to various camps on college campuses across the country, has reportedly prevented Jewish students from walking through the areas of the encampment. Activists have reportedly insulted Jewish students as they walked by and have destroyed Israeli flags.
The violence by these anti-Israel protesters has been ongoing for the last week. Journalist Jonathan Choe, who was assigned to cover the protests for TPUSA Frontlines, was previously assaulted by protesters when covering the encampment, sustaining injuries to his hand.
