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Illinois State Graduate Student Removed From TA Role After Flipping TPUSA Table, Faces Charges

Officials emphasize First Amendment rights during the ongoing investigations.

Overview

  • Derek Lopez, 27, was recorded overturning a Turning Point USA table after saying, “Well, you know, Jesus did it.”
  • Illinois State University confirmed he was relieved of his graduate teaching assistant duties pending further investigation.
  • Campus police arrested Lopez on Friday on counts of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, with the case still pending.
  • Police said he also disrupted a separate informational table hosted by another student group.
  • The TPUSA table was advertising comedian Alex Stein’s Oct. 20 campus event, and officials urged students to learn about speech rights and constructive responses.