Community College Won’t Allow Student To Start A Conservative Club

Moriah DeMartino, 22, is a student at Hagerstown Community College in Maryland. She’s a right leaning political science major (finally, ANOTHER! *waves excitedly*) and wanted to start a Turning Point USA chapter on campus. (Turning Point USA is an AWESOME organization designed to “identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.”)

School administrators won’t allow it. Unless another club representing the OTHER side launches at the same exact time, it’s not going to happen. Administrators also told her that they do not allow individuals to “start new clubs that duplicate the purpose and mission of existing clubs.”

As of now, HCC has a National Organization for Women (NOW) club (which she says leans left, because of course), a Spectrum Club (the club’s mission is “to create a safe environment for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, and straight allies” YAWN) and a political science club. (And from my personal experience, general political science clubs are NOT down the middle and fair to both sides. My campus had the “Political Guild” and it was such crap. It was filled with pseudointellectual liberals with big mouths and tiny brains. So bogus.)

“As an educational institution Hagerstown says they value diversity and freedom of speech, however if you do not agree with the administration your beliefs are disregarded.” DeMartino said. “This this not about silencing student groups that have different viewpoints from Turning Point, it’s about protecting our First Amendment rights.”

That being said, she’s suing them for violating her First Amendment rights. Even though she has gathered over 200 signatures in support of starting a TPUSA chapter, school officials remain obstinate.

“My ideal outcome would be that they reverse their policy and openly and willingly accept other students on campus for their views — whether it be political or not,” DeMartino told TheBlaze. “I just want every student to see what’s going on on campus and realize that they not just have their rights, but can take legal action if they have to if it comes to that.”

“It has been a very overwhelming and stressful situation, but I know it has to be done,” she added.

Still no word from HCC. Keep fighting the good fight DeMartino. I know it’s a pain, but somebody has to do it.