Two members of the conservative activist group Turning Point USA have been hit with charges following a squabble at Arizona State University with an LGBTQ instructor. Kalen D'Almeida, a member of the TPUSA team, faces harassment, assault, and disorderly conduct misdemeanors. His colleague, videographer Braden Joel Ellis, has been charged with misdemeanor harassment, as reported by 12News.
The incident, which occurred last October, escalated when D'Almeida allegedly shoved David Boyles, the instructor in question, resulting in the latter's fall to the ground and subsequent injuries. TPUSA has gained national recognition pushing conservative agendas and has been deeply involved in culture wars on campus. Boyles, before being confronted, refused to entertain D'Almeida's prodding questions about promoting what D'Almeida termed "sodomy to young people."
According to 12News, after the altercation, both TPUSA members appear to have attempted to evade the situation, captured by security cameras as they subsequently entered a parking structure at a brisk pace. The confrontation has cast a spotlight on the tensions between the university and the outspoken Republican advocacy group, culminating in a clash that has drawn eyes nationally to the Tempe campus.
In response to the charges, Turning Point's spokesman Andrew Kolvet vehemently defended the TPUSA members stating, "Kalen and his cameraman did absolutely nothing wrong. We will vigorously defend them and look forward to taking this into a courtroom where the very clear video evidence documenting this incident will quickly prevail over ASU's gaslighting and the media's propaganda." He added that the team members "will be vindicated," as mentioned in a statement to 12News.
Meanwhile, the incident brought sharp criticism from ASU President Michael Crow, who earlier labeled the TPUSA crew "cowards", emphasizing the university's stance against bullying and intimidation. Crow declared, "Let me assure all of you that ASU will do all that we can to end the bullying and intimidation of our faculty members by Turning Point USA and to reduce threats against the members of the ASU community which arise from such actions," according to a statement provided by ASU. The initial court appearances for the accused members are scheduled for January 2.
