'Threatens The Safety Of Students': Minneapolis Council Member Blasts U Of MN For Hosting Conservative

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis City Council Member Robin Wonsley criticized the University of Minnesota for hosting a Monday night event with Turning Point USA, the conservative student organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

"Tonight, UMN is hosting an event with Turning Point USA, a far-right conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk. This is an absurd decision by the UMN admin and threatens the safety of students and our community as a whole," Wonsley wrote on X.

She accused the administration of double standards, claiming the university has "silenced" protests in the past while "rolling out the red carpet" for a group she described as racist, transphobic, Islamophobic, and misogynistic.

"Events like this won’t help curry favor with the Trump admin. All it does is demonstrate weakness," Wonsley continued. "Tonight is meant to sanitize and whitewash hate speech. Shame on the UMN and [President] Rebecca Cunningham for failing our most vulnerable communities while uplifting the most hateful voices."

Wonsley’s remarks drew backlash online, with many accusing her of conflating controversial speech with physical threats.

Inside Northrop, conservative commentator Michael Knowles delivered the keynote address as part of TPUSA’s "American Comeback Tour." Much of his speech focused on remembering Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month.

The event, which included a live audience Q&A, took place under heightened security, with ID checks, bag restrictions, and screenings at the door.