Story By: Wyatt Smith
MONTEVALLO, Ala. — After a few months on campus, the Montevallo chapter of Turning Point USA is the topic of conversation among students.
Turning Point USA was planning on hosting controversial speaker Bryan Dawson in a “Prove Me Wrong” event on the Farmer Hall Patio Thursday, Feb. 12, but due to security concerns the event has been moved to a new time and location. TPUSA President Ashlei Piazza shared via email they plan to move the event three weeks after the original date.
The event invites students to challenge the conservative viewpoint Dawson has on topics relating to current political and social issues.
Dawson is the president and CEO of conservative news outlet 1819, which focuses on Alabama politics, culture and sports.
UM officials sent an email to all students addressing concerns about the event following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The email encourages students who feel unsafe to “avoid the event.” Following the initial email, UM News sent a second email to all students outlining a plan to improve security to keep everyone safe.
In protest of the event students organized a class walkout to meet at the “Becoming” statue, also known as the Hands, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Despite the “Prove me Wrong” event being postponed there is no official information of the student walkout being moved to a different date.
Flyers posted around campus promoting the walkout include a QR code encouraging students to email Montevallo Student Life and Student Affairs to express their concerns.
Vallo Vision News 