While schools are allowed to hold after school ‘Satan Club,’ creating a Turning Point USA chapter is considered highly controversial.

A student at Johnston High School in Iowa is looking to form a TPUSA chapter on campus. In order for new clubs to be created, they need to be first expressed to the school board for approval.

This process is tentative to be presented as soon as March 7th and voted on as early as April 11th at the Johnston Community School District board meeting.

While Iowa representative Jeff Shipley has shown support for Turning Point USA chapters, some parents in the district are voicing their opposition for students to promote differing ideas and values. Jason Arnold, a parent of two in Johnston Community School District, has said, “When you’re anti-intellectual like that and you’re anti-school… I think there’s a clear line there that that type of organization doesn’t belong in a public education system.”

Rep. Shipley responded by pointing out that the decision to try to shut down the TPUSA chapter is not being led by students and in his experience when talking to young children, they are aware of politics and don’t see eye-to-eye on things. Rep. Shipley stated, “They’re very diverse these days. But at least I think they have that common respect.”

Turning Point USA chapters are intended to educate students about the importance of limited government, free markets, and capitalism. Rep. Shipley has publically stated that, “The only thing [TPUSA] is extreme about is taking responsibility.” He said, “And they’re very extreme in how much they love America and how much they want to serve their community. So no, I don’t think they pose any sort of ideological threat.”

While parents and faculty members continue to discredit TPUSA’s mission and promote false ideas about Turning Point USA student activists, we are equipping the youth with the tools needed to articulate the conservative perspective, take practical steps to advance the message, and fight back against the prevailing establishment.

There are currently over 1,400 chapters on college and high school campuses across the country and growing rapidly. To help fight the culture war, start a chapter on your campus today by visiting Turning Point USA’s National Field Program website and get started!