High school students in Houston, Texas, are facing pushback as they attempt to start a Turning Point USA chapter at Stratford High School. The controversy began when Nathalie Herpin, the vice president of the Spring Valley Democrats, used social media to rally opposition against the club. Herpin urged members of her local Democratic group on Facebook to contact teachers who were considering sponsoring the club, claiming it would promote division and hate among students.
In her urgent post, Herpin expressed concern over the club’s potential impact, saying that it was important for teachers to know that their support for the group was not welcomed by many students. She specifically mentioned Denise Bell, the chair of Harris County’s Moms for Liberty chapter, who she accused of encouraging the formation of the club. Herpin referenced a private chat where Bell had added a representative from Turning Point USA, suggesting that they were already planning meetings and had created an Instagram page without the principal’s approval.
Herpin’s post included several accusations against Turning Point USA, labeling it a political organization that could foster division. She described the group as having a history of promoting harmful views about various communities, including immigrants and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Herpin went further, invoking a tragic incident involving the group’s founder to emphasize her concerns about safety and potential violence in schools.
In response to Herpin’s actions, Moms for Liberty’s Harris County chapter accused her of doxxing the students involved. They condemned her for sharing private information about the students and urged others to consider the implications of targeting teenagers in this manner. The group emphasized that the students were merely trying to express their political beliefs and form a club.
The situation drew attention from state officials, including Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who condemned the behavior and suggested that action might be taken in response to the incident.
This unfolding drama highlights the tensions surrounding political expression in schools and raises questions about the role of adult involvement in student-led initiatives. As the students push to establish their club, the community is left to grapple with the implications of free speech and political activism in educational settings.
