‘We Don’t Reward Hate With Hate’: Barrington High Students turn to forming a Turning Point USA Chapter

Barrington High School students were inspired to form a Turning Point USA chapter following a teacher’s hateful TikTok videos about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Following the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in September, chapters of the conservative student organization have been forming rapidly across the country — including at Barrington High School in Rhode Island.

On October 8, Barrington High School announced the formation of a Turning Point USA chapter. The notice explained that TPUSA “is an American conservative non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk. The organization’s mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government. Turning Point USA believes that every young person can be enlightened to true free-market values. If you would like to join the Barrington High School chapter, please fill out the form …”

There are approximately 1,000 to 1,200 TPUSA chapters in U.S. high schools — that was the estimated number before the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Since that time, the total number of requests to establish new chapters in high schools, colleges, and communities nationwide has exceeded 100,000.

The Teacher’s Viral TikToks

After Kirk’s death, a controversial series of TikTok videos posted by Barrington High School social-studies teacher Benjamin Fillo sharply criticized the late conservative leader. In the first video, Fillo called Kirk “garbage” and said he felt no remorse over his death. Fillo, who was also serving as president of the Barrington Teachers Union, was placed on administrative leave.

Days later, he posted a second video asserting that “Charlie Kirk is NOT in Heaven.” Both clips drew outrage locally and nationally.

On Barrington High School’s webpage, Fillo’s photograph has been removed, though his name and position remains listed.

RINewsToday made the decision not to post the videos, which remain publicly accessible HERE:

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Students Respond

In response, two freshmen at Barrington High School — Caleb Kaplan and Brayden Ryan — decided to launch a local Turning Point USA chapter. They said they wanted to create “a free and safe space” for conservative students and for those who wish to express political or religious values without fear of ridicule.

According to district sources, the students were provided the standard protocols for forming any new club, and their application is moving through the normal approval process.

Ryan, the new club’s vice president, told national media, “What inspired me personally to start this Turning Point chapter was the teacher at our school who said after Charlie Kirk’s death that he had no remorse over him and that he was a hateful person.”

Kaplan, the club’s president, added that while some classmates have been supportive, others have circulated petitions calling for the teacher’s reinstatement. “We don’t reward hate with hate,” Kaplan said.

To the best of our knowledge, the teacher remains on paid administrative leave. Local parent and activist Nicole Solas requested access to Fillo’s classroom records, curriculum, and lesson plans, but was informed that fulfilling the request would cost over $100,000.

Caleb Kaplan, president of the Turning Point USA chapter, told Fox News Digital that “some have been supportive of their efforts, while others have campaigned to reinstate Fillo. ‘I’m not going to name any names out of respect, but they have been campaigning or making petitions to get the teacher that we spoke about back in a position.””  Both Kaplan and Ryan are freshman at the high school. Kaplan added, “We don’t reward hate with hate,” Kaplan said.

Statement from School Officials

RINewsToday sought a statement from Barrington High School officials. The school referred inquiries to Superintendent Robert Mitchell, who in turn provided a message from Sarah Dell of Advocacy Solutions, the district’s communications partner:

“Barrington High School students are always welcome and encouraged to pursue new clubs that reflect their interests. As with all proposed student organizations, there is a process outlined in our student activities protocol. The group of students expressing interest in forming a student Turning Point USA chapter has been provided that information. This is one of about a dozen new proposed student clubs currently moving through the same process.”

Barrington High currently offers about 50 student clubs and activities. The politically oriented ones include Debate and Speech Club, Model United Nations, and Young Politicians.

Turning Point USA Rhode Island Chapter

When reached for comment, Anthony D’Ellena, head of the RI Chapter, which is not school or college based:

“These students are standing up in one of the most ideologically suffocating environments in the country, a Rhode Island public school, and saying, enough. They deserve respect, not resistance.

We’ve already seen the tide turning. Cranston West High School has an active chapter. Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and Salve Regina have all seen organizing from students who are done being silenced. And I have personally been working to get Turning Point USA into Brown University. I intend to go straight into the heart of the Ivy League’s woke machinery by starting a strong chapter at Brown.

This is a movement. Turning Point USA in Rhode Island is growing because we offer something the education establishment refuses to: unapologetic truth, real American values, and the courage to challenge the narrative. Our organization members are what this country desperately needs bold young patriots who refuse to bow down to the cultural Marxism flooding their classrooms.

This movement isn’t slowing down. It’s accelerating. The more resistance we face, the more students step up. Turning Point USA is here to stay, and Rhode Island will not be the exception. We’re building the next generation of strong bold conservatives.”

New Turning Point USA chapters were recently chartered at several Massachusetts colleges, including UMass Amherst, Amherst College, and Holyoke Community College.

Nationwide, TPUSA reports a surge in interest since Kirk’s death. Whether Barrington’s proposed club becomes Rhode Island’s first officially recognized high-school chapter remains to be seen, but its emergence reflects a growing wave of student political organizing in the state’s schools.

About Turning Point USA

Turning Point USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk. The organization’s mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government.

With a presence on more than 3,500 campuses, TPUSA describes itself as the largest and fastest-growing youth organization in America, employing over 300 staff devoted to campus outreach, voter registration, and leadership training.