By Ethan Faverino |

A group of students at Arizona State University hosted a public awareness event on Thursday, October 23, at the Memorial Union to highlight Antifa’s activities on campus and encourage students to confidentially report any known associates for submission to the Federal Terror Watchlist.

The event, hosted by College Republicans United (CRU), featured verified public records and official documents detailing students previously convicted of Antifa-related crimes, including multiple individuals who were active members or leaders of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) at ASU at the time of their arrests.

“Like the Trump administration, we believe that if you see something, say something,” said Kevin Decuyper, who co-founded CRU at ASU in 2018 as a student and is now the chairman of the College Republicans United national organization.

Former law enforcement officer and current Congressional candidate for Arizona’s 1st District, Paul Reevs, said, “What these students are doing, standing up and simply asking people to help them identify violent people, is courageous. We need that kind of leadership, and I want to support them when they do that.” He attended the event and spoke to students to raise awareness about Antifa-related criminal activity on and around campus.

Featured speaker Gabriel Nadales, a former Antifa member and National Director of Our America, shared his firsthand experience leaving the group.

Nadales described Antifa’s tactics as “uncompromising and absolutist,” aimed at silencing opposition through intimidation. He was physically assaulted by an Antifa member at a California event, where his attacker was later convicted.

Nadales noted a pattern: “Wherever faculty or organizations support the Young Democratic Socialists of America, Antifa influence often follows. Arizona State University is one example where both groups maintain an active presence.”

YDSA co-chair Isaac Burdge denied any organizational ties to Antifa, stating the group opposes fascism but does not engage in violence.

Despite Burdge’s claims that YDSA is not violent, there have been many documented cases of violence, including Benjamin Cooper, YDSA’s agitprop director at ASU, who has had multiple arrests for assaulting police.

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.