Students March Against Neo-Nazi Flyers, Turning Point USA at CWU

Protest calls for action on hate speech, political double standards, and no-confidence vote against university president

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting in shades of gray, blue, and red featuring overlapping, fragmented shapes and lines that suggest the movement and energy of a group of protesters marching with picket signs, conveying the urgency and frustration of the student demonstration on the CWU campus.Student protesters at Central Washington University march across campus, demanding action on hate speech, political double standards, and lack of shared governance.Ellensburg Today

Around 30 students at Central Washington University gathered and marched through campus on Tuesday to protest the administration's lack of response to neo-Nazi flyers, the establishment of the conservative student group Turning Point USA, and a faculty no-confidence vote against the university president.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing tensions at CWU over issues of student safety, free speech, and shared governance, with students and faculty voicing concerns about the university's handling of controversial political groups and its leadership.

The details

The protest, organized by the Working Wildcats Union, featured chants of 'no safety, no peace' and 'stand with students, stand with us.' Speakers criticized the university's silence on the neo-Nazi posters, the double standards around recognizing student political groups, and the faculty no-confidence vote against President Wohlpart.

  • The protest took place on Tuesday, the first day of CWU's spring classes.
  • The neo-Nazi flyers were reported on campus in January 2026.
  • The faculty no-confidence vote against President Wohlpart occurred in February 2026.

The players

Working Wildcats Union

A student organization at Central Washington University that organized the protest.

Alexander Matheson

A junior law and justice major and member of the Working Wildcats Union who delivered a speech at the protest.

Salem Czerwinski

A biology major and student worker who participated in the protest, citing concerns about injustices and the need for student voices to be heard.

August Johnson

A middle-level education major who participated in the protest, demanding action against the neo-Nazi flyers on campus.

James Wohlpart

The president of Central Washington University, who faced a faculty no-confidence vote.

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What they’re saying

“We need to have a student-focused mindset, and when the student body is reacting to something like this, and the university has nothing to address it, we need to be the ones to be that megaphone for people.”

— Alexander Matheson, Junior, Law and Justice Major

“Inaction, in itself, is an action you are choosing, you're choosing to be silent. Going out and doing things like this is just so important to me, specifically, but I think in general, it is very important to make our voices heard, because at the very least it starts a conversation.”

— Salem Czerwinski, Biology Major, Student Worker

“There are Nazi posters going around and jack shit being done about it. I want them expelled. They're pro-killing people. They need to go and if we are not listened to, then we will continue to fight. We will continue to be loud because we are tired. I am tired and I want change.”

— August Johnson, Middle-Level Education Major

What’s next

The university administration has not yet responded publicly to the student protest. The faculty no-confidence vote against President Wohlpart is still ongoing, with the Board of Trustees expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This protest reflects the growing divide between students, faculty, and university leadership at CWU over issues of campus safety, free speech, and shared governance. The administration's perceived inaction on hate speech and political double standards has fueled student frustration and a call for more responsive and accountable leadership.