Conservative Commentator To Speak At University Of Illinois; Protest Planned

The founder of a group promoting conservative causes on college campuses will speak on the University of Illinois campus Thursday, and says he hopes to engage students in constructive conversation. 

Charlie Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA, and he is also a Breitbart and Fox News contributor.

Katherine Brown, vice president of the Turning Point USA chapter at the U of I’s Urbana campus, says the group’s mission is to empower conservative thought.

"We are primarily on college campuses and we promote student activism, particularly when it comes to supporting capitalism, freedom of speech and the second amendment," Brown said.

Kirk’s talk is entitled "Melting Snowflakes and Smashing Socialism." Despite instances of demonstrators obstructing conservative speakers at other campuses, Brown thinks U of I students will be tolerant of Kirk, and discuss his ideas in a civil manner.

"I have high hopes and high expectations from the students at this university. I think everything will be fine," Brown said.

Kirk’s talk begins at 7 p.m., Thursday at the Illini Union.

The International Socialist Organization of Champaign-Urbana is planning to protest Kirk’s appearance.

They call Turning Point USA part of the so-called “alt right” and say the group uses “McCarthyist” tactics, referring to former U-S Senator Joe McCarthy.