Palestine Supporter Arrested on Battery Charges at TPUSA Chapter Event in Georgia
A Mercer University student was arrested on battery charges while protesting a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter event featuring a guest speaker who addressed students regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Mercer University police officers arrested Savannah Grace O’Brien Thursday on simple battery charges after making physical contact with The Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman who was speaking to student attendees and members of the TPUSA chapter. The Atlas Society is a nonprofit organization that promotes the philosophy of Ayn Rand, an author and philosopher.
O’Brien can be seen on a video captured by attendees wrapped in a transgender-pride flag interrupting Grossman’s speech, criticizing her previous role as the senior vice president at the produce giant Dole and taking issue with her opinion regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Mercer student lambasted Grossman for Dole’s labor and business practices before quickly switching strategies and shouting about the alleged atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians.
O’Brien then placed hands on Grossman, prompting an officer to escort the student away from the event. The student was taken to the Bibb County Jail Friday and was subsequently released on a $650 bail.
Following the event, TPUSA CEO and founder Charlie Kirk shared, “Have your protests, but do NOT block our students’ right to free speech.”
The Atlas Society shared the video of the interaction on X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “America used to be better than this.” The group additionally claimed that there has been a “total destruction of free speech on college campuses” throughout the U.S.
“Disrupting and invading the personal space of a speaker is not acceptable,” Mercer University said in a statement responding to the incident. “It is our hope this will ultimately prove to be a positive learning experience for the student.”
The university additionally committed to reviewing the incident and taking action “as warranted.”
