Around 30 Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) students marched across campus Thursday evening, demanding the university disband its Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter and prohibit conservative speaker Joshua Haymes from appearing on campus, according to WSMV 4.
The protest, organized by MTSU’s Southern Youth Solidarity Network (SYSN), follows an October 19 TPUSA event featuring Haymes, a conservative podcaster who participated in the chapter’s “Pick Up the Mic” debate-style event outside the Student Union.
@TPUSAatMTSU had an AMAZING PICK UP THE MIC with my brothers @haymes_joshua and @CHR1STIANHODGES ! I’m so glad we got to host this FULL CIRCLE MOMENT! pic.twitter.com/2qgr1i48kU
— Jackson Swafford (@JacksonSwa55420) October 23, 2026
Protesters marched past several campus buildings, including the Student Union, James E. Walker Library, Keathley University Center, and Andrew L. Todd Hall, before returning to the Student Union for additional laps.
Demonstrators chanted phrases including “Fascists off our campus” and “Turning Point, turn away, we don’t want you here today.”
SYSN first called for TPUSA’s disbandment on October 23, publishing an open letter to MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and launching a petition demanding the university remove the chapter and ban Haymes from campus.
The petition, which has gathered 566 signatures as of Friday, accuses Haymes of promoting “white nationalist” rhetoric and cites comments attributed to him concerning slavery, Adolf Hitler, Islam, and public executions.
Several student organizations have endorsed the petition, including SYSN, MTLambda, the Greyhounds of MTSU, the Southwest Asian North African Student Association, MTSU Young Democratic Socialists of America, the African Student Organization, and the Asian Student Association.
In response to the original petition on October 24, TPUSA at MTSU rejected the demands and defended its decision to host Haymes.
“Our chapter’s official opinion is that we will not apologize, conform or regret hosting Mr. Haymes, Mr. Hodges or any speaker that we bring on campus,” the chapter said in an official statement.
TPUSA cited the First Amendment, the Tennessee Constitution, state law and MTSU policies protecting campus free speech, including Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-2405, which requires public institutions of higher education to allow students and faculty to invite guest speakers regardless of their viewpoints.
The chapter also argued that students who disagree with its speakers are free to leave their events.
SYSN organizers told Sidelines, the university’s student news publication, they are not seeking compromise and intend to continue their efforts until the university disbands the chapter.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Middle Tennessee State University Protest” by Jackson Swafford.
