Tucson students raise concerns over Turning Point USA club
Rincon-University students urged the TUSD board to address safety concerns after a Turning Point USA–affiliated group appeared on campus.
Students from Rincon-University High School urged the Tucson Unified School District governing board on Tuesday to address safety and transparency concerns after a conservative political group affiliated with Turning Point USA appeared on their campus, prompting confrontations during lunch periods and renewed debate over student clubs and free speech.
Turning Point USA is a nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics on high school and college campuses. The group has marketed itself to high school students as “Club America,” a club that promotes “freedom-loving American values,” according to its website.
The group’s presence on campus took many students by surprise.
“They weren't initially presenting themselves as a TPUSA booth,” a student who asked not to be identified told Tucson Spotlight. “When I originally went to go talk to them, they were kind of defensive.”
The student said there were no clear indications the club was associated with Turning Point USA until students clicked the “Get Involved” tab on the club’s website, which redirected them to a registration page for the larger organization.
The club’s presence on campus appeared to be a direct response to the student walkout held Jan. 20.
“The first conversation I had with them was asking them, ‘Why are you here?’” the student said. “They said, ‘Well, the same reason why you had your walkout. You were allowed to do that. We're allowed to be here.’”
The student said Club America tabled during lunch hours at both Rincon and University high schools. Students during the first lunch period viewed the club’s presence as a mockery, while those during the second lunch period took it more seriously.
“When I initially talked to the TPUSA representative, we were asking him questions, ‘Are you from TPUSA?’ He didn't give us an initial answer,” the student said.
Students continued to press the representative, asking questions including whether he supported everything TPUSA stands for and whether he supported actions taken by the Trump administration.
“He laughed in our face when we said that,” the student said.
The teacher who sponsors the club on campus did not attempt to de-escalate the situation, according to the student.
“We started asking them louder. We started to pressure them. And that's when they started recording,” the student said.
Members of the club, including the teacher sponsor and a Club America representative, began recording students without their consent, the student said.
One video posted online shows an adult at the table accusing legal observers of being “paid provocateurs” who were trying “to get in the way of ICE doing their job.”
Another video shows a TPUSA representative and student club members shouting “YES!” when asked if they supported ICE.
“My understanding was that the administration told teachers and staff that once they started recording, they were asked to leave. But that was not the case,” the student said.
The student said it was not a member of the administration who requested club representatives stop filming, but another student. It was not until tensions escalated and security intervened to separate students from the club representatives that the group left.
The teacher sponsor continued debating students in the hallway after the incident and recorded them in class, the student said. The same teacher has also reportedly shown videos about Charlie Kirk’s assassination during class.
The student expressed concern about the teacher’s behavior, noting that the teacher works closely with students for whom English is a second language.
“Students are scared and they're angry,” the student said. “Schools should not be a place where students have to wonder (if) they're going to be detained, wondering if their teacher is going to call ICE.”
District officials said the situation is governed by existing policy on student clubs and free expression.
“Our goal is to ensure that all students have a place on campus where they have a right to express themselves through respectful dialogue and an exchange of ideas. Governing Board Policy establishes clear guidelines that our administration must adhere to in order to protect every student's First Amendment rights,” the district said in a statement to Tucson Spotlight. “Schools must provide equal access to facilities and opportunities for student-led, non-curricular clubs to meet and express their viewpoints, regardless of political or religious affiliation. Campus and district administrators are prohibited from denying requests from student clubs and activities based on the club’s religious or political affiliation.”
The district’s governing board policy limits student club activities to noninstructional time, including before or after school and during lunch periods.
“Our policy also requires each club to have a constitution, approved by the school administration, and a staff sponsor responsible for ensuring clubs have access to school facilities and that clubs comply with Governing Board policy,” the statement said. “Official approval of a club, including one exercising religious, philosophical, political or other speech rights, shall not be construed as endorsement of the club.”
Nya Belcastro
Another Rincon-University student told board members during the meeting that a Black student at the school was suspended for arguing with Club America’s teacher sponsor, while a white student who was also involved in the argument was not.
“This is totally inappropriate. I believe all students deserve to have a place on campus unless it hurts people,” the student said.
Other students echoed those concerns, arguing the group’s presence went beyond differing opinions.
“TPUSA is not a student club with opinions,” another student said. “(TPUSA is) a national political organization known for provoking students and creating hostile environments, especially for students of color, immigration and LGBTQ when they were on our campus, many students did not feel safe.”
Board Member Sadie Shaw thanked the students who spoke during the meeting and asked district staff to review the situation involving the suspended student, the teacher sponsor and other campus visitors who were recording students.
Board member Jennifer Eckstrom said the situation involving the club warranted further review.
“That is unacceptable,” she said. “We cannot have outsiders filming our students.”
Other board members emphasized the importance of hearing directly from students.
“I’m always a big proponent of students coming to speak to us, because you are the boots on the ground,” said board member Natalie Luna Rose. “I think it’s vitally important, especially during this time, to hear from you.”
No information about Club America appears on the Rincon or University high school websites. Club America Rincon-University’s Instagram page is set to private.
Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact them at topacioserve@gmail.com.
Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.
