The Culture War
On Tuesday, Oct 22nd, in Fort Collins, Colorado, the student organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Colorado State University chapter hosted an event featuring guest speakers Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. TPUSA is a nationwide non-profit who’s objective is to “Identify, educate, train and organize students to promote freedom” as stated on their website. (tpusa.com) This student organization has been active at Colorado State University (CSU) for quite some time and has invited various guest speakers to campus in previous years. This year's event was named “Culture War feat. Charlie Kirk”. The event was held at the university’s college of liberal arts, located adjacent to the main campus.
The event started off quiet when I arrived just before 6:00PM MST. Event attendees of various ethnicities and demographics arrived and began to wait in line as the clock ticked towards 7:00PM.
Demonstrators march towards the event venue.
At around 6:30PM I began to hear a chanting coming from an underpass that connects the liberal arts building to main campus. As I drew near, a unified group of demonstrators representing various organizations marched into the area displaying a variety of signs and posters.
The crowd of demonstrators gather on the west side of the street outside of the event venue conducting various chants to show their disapproval for the event.
Demonstrators spilling into the street.
Following the start of the event just after 7:00 some of those denied access begin to collect outside of the venue on the east side of the street. As time goes by and both crowds build; the two begin to overflow off the side walk into the bike lane on the street.
Police Officers from various local agencies such as Colorado State University Police, Fort Collins Police and Larimer County Sheriffs Office.
Demonstrators illuminated by a passing car.
Megaphone-fueled arguments soon ensue and the police move in to ensure both parties remain on their respective sides of the road and everything stays civil.
A demonstrator addresses the crowd with a megaphone.
CSU students and community members conversing on the street.
Two men walk an American flag down the street.
The police utilize UTVs and patrol officers on bikes to back both sides out of the street and off the bike lanes to ensure traffic can continue to flow uninterrupted.
Demonstrators chase a patriotic themed limo as it passes by on the street.
As the night goes on, little in the terms of confrontation evolves. A few representatives from each side would cross over to directly debate their opposition, some of which got heated and were broken up by the police. As the clock passes 8:30 the majority of the crowd dissipates.
From all that I am aware of it was generally a peaceful night with reports of only one person detained and searched by police for having a questionable bag and then released. Both sides demonstrated their rights of assembly and free speech during the night.
