ISU Teaching Assistant Tips Turning Point USA Table, Faces Charges: Police

NORMAL, IL — A teaching assistant and graduate student at Illinois State University faces charges, according to police, after he was recorded on video disrupting students tabling for Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by slain activist Charlie Kirk.

Derek Lopez, 27, of El Paso, was arrested Friday in Normal on charges of disorderly conduct and property damage, according to the Illinois State University Police Department.

In the video, posted on X by several accounts, including on Friday by Frontlines TPUSA, where it had 1.5 million views as of Sunday night, Lopez is shown chatting with someone in front of the table, saying, “Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I’ve got to do it, right?”

He then grabs the table, tips it and pulls at its tablecloth, spilling its contents and sending buttons flying, the video shows. Lopez then says, “Thanks, guys, have a great day,” before ripping down flyers from a nearby bulletin board and leaving, according to the video.

Lopez disrupted two tabling events within a week hosted by the registered student organization, which contacted authorities when the situation escalated, according to police, who said that the case is pending and that there may be grounds for more charges and university disciplinary action.

“We are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as safety of everyone in our campus community,” Chief Aaron Woodruff said in a news release.

“We encourage all members of our community to learn more about free speech rights and responsibilities at Illinois State University, including constructive ways to respond when encountering speech they may disagree with.”