A graduate teaching assistant at Illinois State University faces disorderly conduct and criminal damage charges for allegedly disturbing two on-campus events last week.
ISU Police say Derek Lopez, 27, of El Paso was arrested after an investigation. In a statement Monday, ISU officials said "we can confirm Derek Lopez has been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant pending further investigation.” Lopez is on administrative leave, officials said.
In videos widely shared on social media, a man is seen turning over a table display set up by a student organization affiliated with Turning Point USA.
“We are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as safety of everyone in our campus community," ISU Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said in a statement. "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.”
