Ole Miss students line up in rain for JD Vance, Erika Kirk TPUSA campus visit

A whole lot of College of Mississippi (Ole Miss) college students stood within the rain Wednesday afternoon, lining sidewalks with umbrellas and handmade indicators, hours earlier than Vice President J.D. Vance and Erika Kirk arrived for a Turning Level USA (TPUSA) campus occasion honoring the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The group, which started forming early within the morning exterior The Pavilion at Ole Miss, stretched throughout campus as college students wore MAGA hats and “Freedom” shirts in tribute to Turning Level’s slain founder.

Leslie Lachman, president of Turning Level USA at Ole Miss, instructed Fox Information that the joy was palpable.

“We’re so completely happy they selected Ole Miss,” she stated. “It is an American-loving college, and we see crimson, white and blue. Individuals lined up for hours within the rain. The power was electrical and we will not wait to see this occasion occur.”

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Lachman stated the homicide of Charlie Kirk final month has solely elevated scholar involvement.

“Individuals got here collectively in prayers and vigils. They need to be concerned on campus now greater than ever,” she stated. “It was a devastating tragedy, however truthfully that is actually the turning level. Individuals need to be concerned now greater than ever.”

The Ole Miss cease marks TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk’s first and solely look on Turning Level USA’s nationwide school tour, the place she is going to be a part of Vance for a dwell Q&A with college students, a format impressed by her late husband’s on-campus lectures.

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College students line up exterior for Wednesday’s Turning Level USA occasion at Ole Miss, headlined by Vice President J.D. Vance and TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk. (Matt Leach/Fox Information Digital)

“It is positively essentially the most,” Lachman stated. “And particularly those that select the elite college of Ole Miss to do it – of all organizations, they see Ole Miss as a trailblazer to have it. It is an absolute honor, not just for Turning Level, however for Ole Miss, a conservative-loving nation.”

Lachman additionally famous that whereas some universities have resisted recognizing Turning Level chapters, Ole Miss has embraced the group’s message.

College students line up exterior for Wednesday’s TPUSA occasion at Ole Miss. (Matt Leach/Fox Information Digital)

“I’ve buddies who’ve reached out to me in regards to the pushback they’ve obtained from campuses throughout the nation. It is disheartening,” she stated. “Do not push the message of voting after which do not help it by having bipartisanship. I am proud to go to a college that helps the message of Turning Level USA.”

TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet instructed

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Fox Information Digital’s Matt Leach and Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.