A wave of hostility has crashed down on a college chapter of Turning Point USA following a shocking event – the simulated assassination of its founder during a public speaking engagement. Amy Rose Lombardo, event coordinator for the Northern Arizona University chapter, describes an escalating pattern of intimidation and outright aggression directed at her and her fellow members.
The first jarring incident arrived in the form of a disturbing note. It wasn’t a disagreement with their ideas, but a graphic depiction of violence, illustrating the simulated murder of the organization’s leader, complete with a chilling message about “free speech” and a hateful comparison to Nazi ideology. The image included a stark portrayal of blood emanating from the neck of a speaker.
The attacks quickly moved from disturbing imagery to physical confrontation. During a routine tabling event, a woman unexpectedly approached and, with a disarming smile, swept the entire contents of their display onto the ground. She then proceeded to steal a foam board featuring a former president, vanishing as quickly as she appeared.
Lombardo recalls the surreal nature of the moment, her sister’s casual greeting met with an act of deliberate disruption. The incident was captured on video, providing evidence that led to the offender’s arrest and subsequent charges of theft and disorderly conduct. Lombardo expressed gratitude for the swift response of the university police department.
Despite the escalating hostility, Lombardo and her chapter remain resolute. For her, Turning Point represents a commitment to truth and the courage to defend one’s beliefs. She believes that surrendering to intimidation would jeopardize the future of open discourse in America.
Interestingly, Lombardo doesn’t harbor anger towards her opponents, but rather a sense of pity. She views their actions as stemming from deep-seated hatred and misinformation, expressing a hope that they might find a path away from such negativity. She acknowledges their right to disagree, but believes they are profoundly misguided.
Lombardo extends a powerful challenge to those hesitant to engage in political activism. She asks a simple, yet profound question: if not you, then who will stand up for the principles they believe in? Her words are a call to action, urging others to overcome their apprehension and join the fight.
The incidents targeting Turning Point are not isolated. Across the country, similar conservative groups have faced a surge in aggressive opposition, particularly in the wake of the simulated assassination. This has included repeated acts of vandalism and disruption at college campuses.
One individual, a teaching assistant at Illinois State University, was caught on camera repeatedly overturning Turning Point USA tables. His history of disruptive behavior culminated in an arrest by the FBI for allegedly making threats against a former president. Another individual was accused of similar actions at the University of Iowa, following a previous incident targeting a different conservative organization.
While Northern Arizona University declined to provide further comment, the story of Amy Rose Lombardo and her chapter serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing those who advocate for conservative principles on college campuses, and their unwavering determination to continue the conversation.
