A Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event featuring former police officer Brandon Tatum at the University of California, Davis descended into chaos Wednesday after black-clad anti-police protesters ransacked the group’s outdoor display while campus police stood by and made no arrests.
According to footage posted by TPUSA, leftist agitators tore down tents, destroyed signs, and attempted to steal electronic devices from the conservative group’s team. The incident occurred ahead of Tatum’s talk titled “Prove Me Wrong: It’s All A Lie,” designed to engage students in open dialogue with a former law enforcement officer.
Despite multiple acts of vandalism and at least one reported assault, the university confirmed in a Thursday statement that “no one has been arrested.” The group’s canopy was stolen, banners were ripped down, and foam boards were smashed. Protesters also reportedly tried to steal a laptop and iPad.
More than a dozen masked individuals descended on the setup while holding signs bearing anti-police slogans like “ACAB” and “bash back.” Video shows Tatum confronting the mob, telling them to “get back” before pushing one protester wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh. A man believed to be a police officer then restrained Tatum while allowing the protesters to leave with stolen items.
“Only after the damage was done did law enforcement finally form a perimeter,” TPUSA posted, calling the university’s inaction a stark example of the threats conservatives face on college campuses.
UC Davis stated that “a demonstrator struck one observer who approached the group with a camera phone,” and acknowledged “shoving with those staffing the tent.” The school claimed the talk eventually resumed without further incident—an assertion TPUSA strongly disputed.
Spokesman Andrew Kolvet said, “The entire event set-up was destroyed,” adding that Tatum and the team “regrouped once the agitators and ‘mostly peaceful protesters’ left,” and completed the event using only minimal equipment under police watch.
Kolvet called the university’s response a “wild misrepresentation,” blasting administrators for enabling “criminal behavior from a group of vigilantes.” He accused UC Davis leadership of failing to protect free speech and said TPUSA would continue to expose double standards that put conservative voices at risk.
The incident has reignited concerns over selective enforcement and growing hostility toward conservative and pro-law enforcement events on college campuses.
