The Gateway Pundit reported that students manning a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) table at Illinois State University watched as an angry man flipped their table over and tore down flags ahead of an event featuring Alex Stein.
According to TPUSA, the hater of free speech is a teaching assistant(TA) at the university and has been identified as 27-year-old Derek Lopez.
Watch:
WATCH: A teacher assistant at Illinois State University flipped over a @tpusastudents table and tore down flyers promoting an upcoming @alexstein99 event.
@jessburback @tpusastudents pic.twitter.com/ydhIfcEa24
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) October 17, 2025
A review of Lopez’s social media reveals Lopez’s hatred for TPUSA as well as promoting violence against ICE.
Meet leftist Derek Lopez, a teaching assistant at Illinois State University, with the emotional maturity of a three‑year‑old, who couldn’t control his emotions and vandalized a TPUSA student table, tearing down flyers for an upcoming event.
Lopez has previously expressed hatred… pic.twitter.com/YSYrwam1N8
— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) October 18, 2025
Following community outcry Lopez was arrested on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property.
BREAKING UPDATE: Illinois State University Police have confirmed that 27-year-old teaching assistant Derek Lopez, who attacked a TPUSA table, vandalized property, and assaulted staff during an on-campus event, was ARRESTED on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to… https://t.co/JoI6jefzp9 pic.twitter.com/phUJ0r56fL
— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) October 18, 2025
The Illinois State University Police Deparment issued the following statement:
Normal, IL – On October 17, 2025, after an investigation by the Illinois State University Police Department (ISUPD), 27-year-old Derek Lopez, of El Paso, IL, was arrested in Normal on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property. Lopez is a graduate student and teaching assistant at Illinois State University.
Over the last week Lopez is alleged to have disrupted two informational tabling events being hosted by a registered student organization.
ISUPD was contacted by the registered student organization following the escalation leading to an investigation, identification, and arrest.
This case is pending and may be grounds for additional charges and University disciplinary action.
Chief Aaron Woodruff stated, “We are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as safety of everyone in our campus community. We encourage all members of our community to learn more about free speech rights and responsibilities at Illinois State University, including constructive ways to respond when encountering speech they may disagree with.”
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Department also shared a link to the University’s Free Speech Rights on campus.
