A California woman now faces charges following a widely publicized disruption at a Turning Point USA event held at a college campus earlier this year. The incident, which quickly went viral, involved heated clashes between protesters and a conservative speaker.
Joanna Clara Sodke, 22, stands accused of participating in the protest at the University of California, Davis on April 3. The event featured Brandon Tatum, a well-known commentator, who was present for the “Prove me Wrong” session.
According to Turning Point USA, the scene descended into chaos as protesters vandalized camera equipment, tore down tents and event signage, overturned tables, and physically assaulted group staff members. The disruption sparked national attention, particularly among conservative circles.
Tensions were further amplified by the violent nature of the protests, drawing comments from numerous figures, including Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk. Tragically, Kirk was assassinated in September during an appearance at a college campus in Utah.
In the aftermath, Sodke has been formally charged with conspiracy to commit a riot and battery, bringing legal consequences to the forefront of the ongoing debate over free speech and protest on college campuses.
Sodke was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a riot and one count of battery.
She was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon in Yolo Superior Court, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig’s office said in a statement.
Sodke graduated from UC Davis in 2024 with a degree in history, The Sacramento Bee reported. Videos from the incident showed a group of masked protesters pulling down a TPUSA tent and shoving event organizers.
Protesters violently disrupted a Turning Point USA event in April at the University of California, Davis. A woman who graduated from the school has been charged for her alleged role in the protest, authorities said. (Turning Point USA ) (Turning Point USA /Getty Images)
The charges were announced days after a protest outside a TPUSA event at the UC Berkeley campus. Four Berkeley students were arrested by UC Berkeley police early Monday morning on felony vandalism charges.
The event, as well as the one from April, reignited debates over free speech on college campuses and attacks against conservative speakers.
Police officers separate two men outside a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley, Nov. 10, 2025, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP)
“There is no place at UC Berkeley for attempts to use violence or intimidation to prevent lawful expression or chill free speech,” a UC Berkeley statement said. “The University is conducting a full investigation and intends to fully cooperate with and assist any federal investigations and the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify the outside agitators responsible for attempting to disrupt last night’s TPUSA event.
