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Less than two months after Charlie Kirk’s assassination on a college campus, a new club associated with his organization Turning Point USA is being pursued at Hollister High.
According to high school spokesman Adam Breen, an application for a club called “Club America” was submitted by a student in October and has been signed off by Principal Kevin Medeiros and forwarded to the Associated Student Body for review in February.
The club application followed a Change.org petition titled “Interest for Turning Point USA Chapter in Hollister high,” which was led by Hollister High student Luis Bribiesca and collected more than 400 signatures of support by early October.
A rival Change.org petition titled “STOP Turning Point USA from being integrated into Hollister High School,” was led by former Hollister High student Drake Fields, Class of 2025, and collected more than 160 signatures by the end of October.
The petition in favor of the club included a statement arguing that “Turning Point USA represents the core values that make the United States unique and prosperous—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, democracy, and a strong commitment to the Constitution.”
It went on to say, “As a student at Hollister High School, I believe our peers deserve the opportunity to learn about these principles, engage in thoughtful discussion, and develop leadership skills in a structured, respectful environment.” It added that a Turning Point USA chapter at the school would “provide students with a platform to explore civic engagement, practice respectful debate, and grow as informed, respectful citizens.”
The petition promised “educational activities, including discussions, guest speakers, and community projects,” aimed at creating an “inclusive environment,” and a “safe and positive space for student growth.”
The competing petition urged supporters to “SAVE THESE STUDENTS from getting forced into the MAGA and N@zi agenda,” and to “save these amazing and skillfull highschool students from racism, facism, homophobia and sexism.”
It concluded, “This petition will show Hollister High School administrators that we DON’T want racism to be taught.”
Signers of the petition included statements arguing that “white supremacy and religion do not belong in schools period,” and calling Turning Point USA “anti-american in every sense” and adding that the organization is “racist, bigoted, and only supports white christian nationalism.”
Bribiesca told BenitoLink that “the petition speaks for itself” and noted the difference in the number of signatures collected for the two petitions, adding that “it’s clear where the majority of student support stands.”
Bribiesca declined to comment further.
Fields told BenitoLink he was unable to respond to questions because he had been hospitalized.
Breen said neither of the petitions had been submitted to the high school.
Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder and executive director who was shot to death while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, was known for speaking on college campuses in support of conservative issues, often debating college students in a stated attempt to offset what he said was the liberal domination on those campuses. He was heavily criticized for his outspoken views on everything from Affirmative Action, illegal immigration, DEI programs, abortion, crime, and religion, among other issues.
A key ally of President Donald Trump, Kirk was largely credited with outreach to younger voters which helped lead to a shift toward Republicans in the 2024 election.
Kirk’s assassination, on the heels of last year’s assassination attempts on Trump, prompted condemnation from a range of national and international leaders regarding political violence and violent rhetoric.
Republicans have decried the left’s linking of Trump and others on the right to Hitler, Nazism, and fascism, while Democrats have long accused Trump of resorting to violent rhetoric aimed at the left and its supporters.
Breen said the proposed club is required to meet a number of criteria for the creation of a campus club, including finding an on-campus club advisor who can provide a meeting room and scheduled meeting times, recruiting eight or more members, and submitting a club constitution, among other requirements.
Medeiros reviews all club applications to ensure that the proper procedures have been followed, according to Breen.
Since the proposed club’s application missed the Oct. 9 deadline for the Associated Student Body representatives to consider club proposals for the fall semester it will be forwarded for review at the end of February.
A motion and an affirmative vote by Associated Student Body representatives is required for the club to be approved for the second semester.
Hollister High has about 60 clubs on campus so far this year, Breen said.
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