Turning Point USA said masked protesters disrupted its Women’s Leadership Summit in San Antonio, while CEO Erika Kirk drew applause after responding to a heckler who shouted an accusation during her speech.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Turning Point USA’s Women’s Leadership Summit in San Antonio drew disruptions both inside and outside the event, with the organization reporting clashes between masked protesters and police Saturday and CEO Erika Kirk responding publicly to a heckler during a Friday speech.
Police were called to a chaotic scene Saturday outside the summit after protesters gathered near an entrance to the event. TPUSA said on X that officers attempted to make an arrest as masked protesters surrounded one of the entrances.
“Police attempt to make an arrest as ANTIFA members swarm one of the entrances to TPUSA’s Women’s Leadership summit,” TPUSA wrote in a post on X.
“Multiple masked protesters wearing visible ANTIFA imagery have been hitting and throwing items at police,” the organization said.
TPUSA also said protesters had targeted Erika Kirk and mocked the assassination of her late husband, Charlie Kirk.
TPUSA said that “protesters have been chanting ‘f*ck Erika Kirk’ and have been mocking Charlie’s assassination all morning.”
The unrest followed a separate disruption inside the summit Friday, when Kirk was interrupted during a speech by a female heckler who repeatedly shouted, “Erika Kirk protects p*dophiles!”
The crowd booed the heckler as Kirk paused and responded from the stage.
“Happiness comes and goes and I pray that you find it,” Kirk said, drawing loud applause from the audience.
Video of the exchange was shared in a post on X.
According to the Daily Mail, the heckler was removed from the room while Kirk continued speaking.
Audience members then began chanting support for Kirk.
“We love you, Erika!” attendees shouted.
“I love you guys, too,” Kirk replied.
Kirk used the moment to discuss faith, forgiveness and responding to hostility.
“That’s an important moment because, that just showed duty to faithfulness gives our life meaning and we must pray for our enemies and those that do not feel that their life has meaning,” Kirk said, according to the Daily Mail.
“That’s a perfect example. You pray for your enemies, you pray for those that persecute you. That’s not the enemy, we know who the real enemy is,” she added.
Kirk, who leads TPUSA following her husband’s assassination last year, has continued speaking at the organization’s events while facing public attacks from political opponents and protesters.
The summit disruptions underscored the tension surrounding TPUSA events since Charlie Kirk’s death. The organization said Saturday’s protesters used anti-Kirk chants and attempted to interfere with access to the venue, while attendees inside Friday’s event responded strongly to Erika Kirk’s remarks after the heckler was removed.
Authorities had not immediately released additional details about arrests or potential charges connected to Saturday’s protest.
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