Conservative group undeterred after Iowa student’s table-flipping spree

The leader of a conservative group on the University of Iowa campus says his group is unfazed after a left-wing student allegedly went on a shooting spree.

“To be honest, we’re not really surprised that this happened,” Brody Baker, chair of the University of Iowa’s Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter, said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “We’re kind of used to it at this point.”

Baker was referring to the recent alleged actions of Iowa student Justin Calhoon, who was arrested within a week for flipping a YAF table and a Turning Point USA table on campus. Both incidents were captured on video.

Calhoon, who was wearing a dress, was arrested Oct. 27 on charges of disorderly conduct, fifth-degree criminal mischief and third-degree harassment after flipping the YAF table on Oct. 27, jail records show.

A teaching assistant at Illinois State was fired after attempting to flip the TPUSA table twice in a viral encounter

“Upon arrival, the defendant disrupted the gathering by turning the groups around [sic] table, made obscene gestures and yelled profanities, including “s— my d—,” while leaving the group,” according to a criminal complaint about that incident. The complaint also notes that some of YAFs Property was damaged.

On November 5, Calhoon was arrested again on a charge of disorderly conduct, just hours after he allegedly did so turned over a Turning Point USA table He sent promotional materials through the air on campus after the group offered him hot chocolate. Jail records show he was arrested on two counts of disorderly conduct, fifth-degree criminal coercion and two counts of third-degree harassment.

“All the officers in the city that talk to us are aware of this incident and every time something happens to us, they always treat us with great respect,” Baker said. “And when we talk to them, we say, ‘You know, it’s just another day in the neighborhood, someone tries to mess with us.'”

“But at the University of Iowa and on college campuses and other neighborhoods, we’re used to this stuff and we’re not going to back down,” Baker said later.

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To illustrate that aggressive behavior from the political left is common on campus, Baker pointed to an event in 2023 where YAF hosted conservative commentator Matt Walsh, who was promoting his film “What Is a Woman?” advertised.

“We have a lot of protesters outside of our events. In the past we’ve had Matt Walsh here on campus,” he said.

“People threw marbles on the stairs so we couldn’t attend the event. People outside protested, throwing batteries and some rocks from the parking garages at people who were just listening,” he said, noting that many apolitical people also attend YAF events just to hear different perspectives.

STUDENT ARRESTED FOR TURNING POINT TABLE REVERSAL DAYS BEFORE A SIMILAR ANTI-CONSERVATIVE INCIDENT

The marble dump incident attracted national attention.

Despite the attacks, Baker and YAF have no plans to back down, and he even expressed gratitude for the University of Iowa administration, which he said is understanding of the group’s concerns and treating YAF like any other campus organization.

“It builds character by standing up for your rights and freedom,” he said. “I think for us in general it’s really passionate, shows our patriotism and shows your commitment to your country and your group here on campus.”

“I stand by everyone in my club and will defend them at all costs against people who try to physically attack us, physically abuse us or mentally abuse us,” he continued. “We stand side by side. I want people to hear us.”

“I don’t care if you hate me. And I think the most important thing is that if you hate me on campus, I’m doing my job well.”

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, the University of Iowa reiterated its commitment to free speech and noted that the school hosts an annual First Amendment training.

The university also said it takes campus safety seriously.

“Campus Safety welcomes discussions with event organizers in advance to support a safe environment,” the school said. “Campus Safety’s primary goal during demonstrations is to protect free expression while ensuring the safety of both protesters and the community.”