Students Protest New Turning Point USA Chapter in Michigan High School

A wave of protests erupted in Royal Oak, Michigan, following the announcement of a new chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at Royal Oak High School (ROHS). Students and community members expressed strong opposition to the conservative youth organization, citing concerns over its platform and values. The backlash included a student-led walkout and significant social media criticism directed at the organization.

On October 22, 2023, students participated in a “Walk Out Against Hate & Violence,” a demonstration aimed at voicing their disapproval of TPUSA’s presence in their school. Flyers circulated in advance, mobilizing the student body to participate, which illustrated the depth of feeling against the newly formed chapter even before its inaugural meeting.

Bruno, the president of the ROHS TPUSA chapter, expressed surprise at the intensity of the backlash, noting that the chapter had only sought to gauge interest and attract members through promotional materials. Despite these intentions, the response was overwhelmingly negative. Jaden Bennett, a TPUSA representative, reported that dozens of students engaged in protests, including expressing their concerns directly to the school principal.

The Royal Oak Student Voice, a student-led group, issued a memo sharply criticizing TPUSA. They characterized it as a group that, while presenting itself as a civic non-profit, allegedly promotes a white supremacist agenda, anti-LGBTQ sentiment, and anti-women propaganda. The memo referenced specific statements made by TPUSA spokespersons to substantiate these claims and encouraged individuals to examine the organization’s website for further information.

The formation of the TPUSA chapter at ROHS has faced significant backlash since its approval on October 21, 2023. The chapter was chartered shortly before on October 15, 2023. Within hours of the chapter’s initial Instagram post, over 300 comments were recorded, largely criticizing the group. Bennett noted that the online responses included accusations of hatefulness and affiliations with fascism and Nazism, leading to an escalation that included threats of violence within 48 hours.

While many online comments were negative, Bennett did acknowledge some support from fellow students. He also highlighted a surge of interest in establishing new TPUSA chapters following the recent passing of founder Charlie Kirk. According to Bennett, the main goal of the TPUSA chapter is to foster open discussions among individuals with differing viewpoints, addressing a range of topics beyond partisan politics.

The protests and vocal opposition reflect a broader concern within the community regarding the values and implications of forming such a chapter within the school. As students continue to express their discontent, the administration faces the challenge of navigating these tensions while upholding the principles of free speech and civic engagement.