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Key Takeaways
- A University of Utah student was arrested for threatening members of a conservative group, saying they 'should be shot in the neck' and making shooting gestures.
- The threats occurred during a debate hosted by the Reawaken USA group, which was inviting dialogue on social issues, similar to previous events held by Turning Point USA after the assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk.
- The College Republicans at the university reported a rise in violent rhetoric against conservative students, noting a history of aggressive incidents targeting them, and criticizing the lack of response from university leadership regarding these threats.
A University of Utah student was arrested immediately after threatening members of a conservative group on campus earlier this month, saying they “should be shot in the neck” and making shooting gestures during an event, according to university officials.
Outside of the Marriott Library, Reawaken USA members engaged with passing students much like Charlie Kirk did before he was assassinated at Utah Valley University last year.
They invited students to approach them with a sign that read “Debate Your Truth,” prompting dialogue on social and political issues.
Toward the end of the day, Stewart reportedly approached the booth and levied profanity and threats against the student organizers.
Stewart allegedly said, “I should f—- kill you” and told the organizers they “should be shot in the neck” and “get Kirk’d,” referring to the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk, according to Fox News.
The College Fix reached out to Stewart for comment, but did not receive a response.
University of Utah Communications Director Rebecca Walsh told The College Fix, “on Monday, January 12, Dean Stewart, 21, disrupted an event and yelled at a member of Reawaken USA as he was debating in front of Marriott Library.”
“Stewart was arrested and cited by University of Utah Police Department for disorderly conduct, making threats, and disobeying a lawful order. He was booked into jail and released,” she said.
Walsh referred The Fix to the university’s commitment regarding bias and hate on campus.
Part of this commitment reads, “we work collaboratively to care for one another and create an inclusive community where all feel a sense of safety, belonging and purpose.”
“As a place of learning, teaching and research, where intellectual curiosity and the exploration of the full spectrum of human thought and thought traditions are fostered, we welcome all viewpoints. We encourage robust discussion, disagreement and debate,” it states.
The incident reflects what some conservative students describe as a growing climate of hostility toward right-leaning groups on campus.
According to Daylan Alzamora, president of the school’s College Republicans chapter, which helped with the Reawaken tabling, “since the left has refused to condemn the murder of Charlie Kirk,” there has been “a severe rise in violent rhetoric all over the University of Utah.”
They had been tabling for about three days when the Jan. 12 incident occurred, he told The Fix.
Asked about his reaction to this kind of behavior toward conservatives on campus, Alzamora said, “I would be lying if I said I was surprised.”
“Behavior such as the one seen by Dean Stewart is commonplace at the University of Utah toward conservative groups. If anything, it has been exacerbated since the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” he said.
“Our club has received everything that one can imagine. Being called racists, bigots, fascists, Nazis, and even getting death threats. We have had people spit at our table and take down flyers/posters for our events. We have become accustomed to all this behavior,” he said.
Alzamora added that University of Utah President Taylor Randall has neither contacted the College Republicans nor issued any public statement regarding the Jan. 12 incident.
Walsh, the campus spokesperson, told The Fix that the university will not tolerate personal attacks or hate toward individuals or groups based on identity or beliefs, including religion, race, gender, sexuality, or political views, in accordance with federal and state civil rights and free speech laws.
She also referred The Fix to the University of Utah’s Viewpoint Representation Task Force, which is “dedicated to strengthening our campus climate so that all voices and perspectives are welcomed and respected,” according to its webpage.
Stewart’s now-deactivated LinkedIn profile listed him as vice president of Salt Lake Community College’s Equality and Representation Student Association, The Post Millennial reported.
The profile also featured a banner displaying the Black Lives Matter clenched fist over a pride flag background.
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