PHX Reporter

Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization, has come out in defense of their reporters following a physical altercation involving an Arizona State University professor, a reporter from Turning Point USA, and a cameraman from the organization. In a post on their platform, Turning Point USA asserted, "Self-defense is not a hate crime."

The incident occurred when a Turning Point USA reporter, Kalen D'Almeida, attempted to have a discussion with Arizona State University Professor Danny Boyles. Boyles, who teaches English at the university and is the co-founder of Drag Story Hour Arizona, an initiative involving "drag queens" reading books to children in public settings, refused to answer D'Almeida's questions about his involvement with the program and minors, according to NBC News.

"Our TPUSA Frontlines reporter tried to ask self-professed 'sex education obsessed' queer ASU Professor David Boyles a few simple questions," Turning Point USA stated in their post. "Refusing to answer, our cameras caught the exact moment Mr. Boyles assaulted, pushed, and clawed at our cameraman. The reporter then attempted to remove Professor Boyles from our cameraman, which caused Mr. Boyles to fall and scrape his face on the ground."

Video footage of the incident shows Boyles becoming increasingly agitated and eventually lunging toward the camera, causing it to fall to the ground. Boyles alleges that the Turning Point USA individuals assaulted him. Arizona State University President Michael Crow issued a statement siding with Boyles and criticizing the actions of those associated with Turning Point, according to NBC News.

ASU President Crow's statement defending Boyles has been met with criticism from some. Ann Atkinson, the former Executive Director of The Lewis Center at Arizona State University, said, "ASU President Crow was quick to issue a statement defending this professor, who clearly hit first. Physical violence is never ok. Death to Israel rallies on campus this week received no response from the administration." Atkinson also shared a screenshot on the X platform, claiming it is from Boyles' class syllabus, which indicates that the course involves reading texts related to sexual situations among teenagers, sexual violence, "transphobia", "gender dysphoria", and other "difficult topics."

Turning Point USA's support for their reporters comes amid ongoing debates about free speech and ideological clashes on college campuses. The organization is known for its conservative activism and has faced backlash and protests from progressive groups in the past.

The incident involving the Turning Point USA reporter, the ASU professor, and the cameraman is currently under investigation, and it remains to be seen what consequences, if any, will arise from the altercation.