University of Texas freshmen threatened with doxing if they join conservative groups on campus

University of Texas incoming freshmen who are interested in joining one of the two conservative groups on campus are being met with social media threats by a far left-wing group.

In a series of tweets, the Autonomous Student Network posted on Twitter that they would broadcast personal information of any incoming freshman who joins either the Young Conservatives of Texas or Turning Point USA.

This practice is commonly known as doxing.

The best #LonghornStateOfMind is an antifascist one
If you begin to spot the young racists trying to join YCT or TPUSA, send us a tip so we can keep our reports up to date #UT23

Also, if you’re an antifascist/anarchist/autonomy inclined Longhorn, reach out & let’s link up!

— Bevo MCCCXII (@Bevo1312) June 6, 2019

Benjamin Larrabee is the South Central General Manager for Turning Point USA, meaning he keeps in contact with the members there. He says members are worried after these tweets were posted.

“Students can’t go to class, can’t go to college, can’t even go to a university group to express different ideas, to debate, to reason without being threatened by groups like this,” Larrabee said.

These threats surfaced just days before Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 18 into law, which protects 1st Amendment rights on college campuses.

I just signed a law protecting free speech on college campuses. #txlege pic.twitter.com/jHIh8431SH

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2019

University of Texas officials say the Autonomous Student Network is not an officially sanctioned university student group. They provided the following statement:

No members of our community should be targeted for their affiliations or political beliefs. The university has reached out to the Texas Attorney General’s Office for guidance on the scope of legal remedies that may be available to protect our students, faculty and staff from these outside threats.

Larrabee says he is relieved the university is taking action on this.

“I hope they will continue to take steps like this because this problem is not going away overnight,” Larrabee said.

Now, Larrabee says he is urging members to be extra careful with what personal information they post online.

Despite these threats, the group does not expect to see this affect how many people sign up.

“They’re emboldened to stand up to people who are bullies, and not take this sitting down,” Larrabee said.

Doxing could fall under the cyberbullying law in Texas, which is a Class A or B misdemeanor, depending on the circumstance. This could land offenders up to a year in jail.