Fresno State Republicans plan event featuring guests with white nationalist ties - again
The Fresno State College Republicans club is scheduled to host an event next week featuring speakers who were listed as special guests at the America First Political Action Conference organized by white nationalists.
The club called the April 1 event titled “Future of America” its “biggest event” for the current academic year. The event features speakers Kai Schwemmer, John Doyle, and Carson Wolf. All three speakers appeared to attend the AFPAC event, organized by white nationalist Internet streamer Nicholas Fuentes.
The club’s Instagram post about the event says the speakers will give speeches on “real America First conservatism and how the younger generation will be revolutionizing the Republican party.”
The Fresno State College Republicans did not respond to a request for comment.
Doyle and Schwemmer were listed on an AFPAC flier as “special guests,” along with other more well-known right-wing personalities, Laura Loomer and Milo Yiannopoulos. The event received national attention because attendees were encouraged to chant “Putin” shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. Republican leaders also criticized Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul A. Gosar of Arizona for speaking at the event.
The three guests slated to speak at the April 1 event in Fresno refer to themselves as Christians and conservatives. Doyle calls himself a “neo-Gastonist,” a phrase idealizing the character Gaston in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Both Doyle and Schwemmer have made posts expressing support of Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two people and wounded another who were protesting police brutality.
Fresno State officials said in a statement to The Bee that the event went through all appropriate approval processes and guidelines for hosting an in-person campus event. The statement also confirmed the speakers would not be paid by the university.
Fresno State officials also said the views expressed by the speakers “run contrary to the University’s core values,” and the university doesn’t endorse the views. The statement also said the university remains committed to “free expression, which is essential to its educational mission and extends to recognized student organizations and university-affiliated groups, including those who invite speakers whose expressed values conflict with those of the university.”
The statement referenced previous remarks by Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“During this immensely challenging time, I want to emphasize our solidarity with and commitment to the people of Ukraine,” he said. “Their bravery, resilience, and resolve in the face of unimaginable circumstances are inspiring.”
Last year, the club hosted another speaker event with white nationalist views. The speaker, Tyler Russell, hosts the live stream show called Canada First. The club also was criticized for making fun of a former Army medic online. The university issued a statement emphasizing its support for veterans. The club’s Twitter account was suspended after that incident.
In the current academic year, the club’s Instagram account has posted a number of messages promoting the “America First” ideology, which embraces nationalism. Club members apparently attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held in Orlando the same week as AFPAC. On Instagram, the club praised Taylor Greene.