How UC Berkeley is preparing for Turning Point’s tour stop after Charlie Kirk’s death

UC Berkeley Prepares for Turning Point USA Tour Stop After Charlie Kirk’s Death

UC Berkeley officials have not disclosed specific security measures but confirmed their readiness to host the conservative organization Turning Point USA on November 10. This event follows the assassination of the group’s founder, Charlie Kirk, nearly two months earlier at Utah Valley University.

Turning Point USA, a nonprofit founded in 2012 by Kirk and his late mentor Bill Montgomery, promotes conservative values on high school and college campuses. The Berkeley stop marks the organization’s first event at a California college since Kirk's fatal shooting in September.

Concerns Over Political Violence and Campus Security

Kirk’s killing has heightened worries about political violence and sparked renewed discussions on how universities can balance campus security with protecting free speech. The issue has become deeply personal for John Paul Leon, junior and president of Berkeley’s Turning Point USA chapter, which began in 2019.

“(We’ve) been wanting Charlie for a long time,” Leon said. “I’ve been planning this since… June… It’s been a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it.”
### Author’s Summary

UC Berkeley is cautiously preparing for Turning Point USA’s event after founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination, reflecting ongoing concerns over political violence and free speech on campuses.

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CalMatters CalMatters — 2025-11-03

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