OU College Democrats protested against Turning Point USA and Russell Brand’s appearance on campus ahead of “The Turning Point Tour” at the Lloyd Noble Center Thursday evening.
The group was comprised of about a dozen protesters standing in front of the north entrance of the Lloyd Noble Center, holding signs that read “Immigrants built America,” “Stand up to fascism” and “This is not normal.” The group led chants including “No more silence, no more lies. We rise up, we organize.”
Marley Hutchins, vice president of the College Democrats of Oklahoma, told OU Daily that it’s important to show up and offer different political viewpoints.
“There are a lot of people in this state and across the nation who disagree with (Turning Point) USA and their views,” Hutchins said. “Specifically on the appearance of Russell Brand, someone who has extreme sexual assault allegations against him right now, appearing on a university campus.”
Brand is facing one allegation of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault in England, according to the BBC. The alleged incidents involved four women and are said to have taken place in central London and Bournemouth between 1999 and 2005. Brand pleaded not guilty to the charges in May and is set to stand trial in June 2026.
According to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Code, students have the right to invite any speaker of choice in accordance with applicable regulations and university policy.
Kalib Magana, president of OU Turning Point USA, told OU Daily Oct. 6 that the chapter didn’t choose the speakers for the event and it’s based on people’s availability. Hutchins said she blames Turning Point USA for bringing Brand to campus.
“It says a lot about (Turning Point USA) and what they stand for, that they would not only let him publicly represent the organization, but bring him to a university campus to speak to students,” Hutchins said.
Hutchins said the protesters agreed that the death of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy.
“We can all agree the death of any person is a tragedy and, while the way that Charlie Kirk passed away was tragic, political violence should never be the answer to anything,” Hutchins said.
After students in line had been let into the event at around 5:30 p.m., Magana invited the protesters inside the event.
“We love people who don’t politically agree with us,” Magana said. “That’s what Turning Point USA is all about: having these discussions with people who may disagree with us and we’re going to do it respectfully.”
Magana said the protesters declined, stating they said they did not feel safe at the event.
Philip Holshouser, an evangelical preacher in the Oklahoma City metro area, stood between the protesters and the entrance to the event. Holshouser said he was preaching to the protesters because they may have never heard it before.
“I brought a message of reconciliation to them that you can be reconciled to God. It doesn’t matter what you’re done in your past,” Holshouser said.
Hutchins said it is important for Democrats to find community in Oklahoma.
“Find your people and reach out to them and build community with them,” Hutchins said. “Show up to these events more to show people that you’re not alone and the hate that groups like (Turning Point) USA spread is not right.”
This story was edited by Ana Barboza. Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
