Young Conservatives of Texas

History

Young Conservatives of Texas was formed by a faction that split off from Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) in 1980. A total of 177 delegates attended the first convention.

The Texas chapter of YAF, led by student activist Steve Munisteri, broke off after a dispute with the national organization. The Young Conservatives of Texas was founded on March 2, 1980, (Texas Independence Day) in Austin. There was a convention held that day wherein Congressman Bill Archer, Ernest Angelo (former Mayor of Midland and former National Committeeman), and many others spoke at a gathering to launch the group. A total of 177 persons attended part or all of the convention. At the conclusion of the convention, it was decided that Young Conservatives of Texas would be founded.

Controversies

On October 1, 2013, the Young Conservatives chapter at UT Austin held a bake sale to show the effects of affirmative action on minorities. Prices were different depending on the person's race. The head of the chapter Lorenzo Garcia

The next month, the same chapter made national headlines when they proposed an on-campus game called "Catch an Illegal Immigrant," involving students in red shirts that said Illegal Immigrant whose capture would net a player $25. They cancelled plans after criticism from other students, the administration, and State Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Republican. This time chapter head Garcia said, "The idea for the event was intentionally over-the-top in order to get attention for the subject."

The University of North Texas chapter has faced their own controversies, one of which being a pro-ICE demonstration during the Student Government's Abolish ICE event. The group faced a lot of backlash with their response to the rally, and some students even claimed that YCT was there to sabotage the protest by calling in ICE. "Trejo also said the YCT threatened to call ICE on their protest, which was denied by Kelly Neidert, Chairman of the YCT."

The UNT chapter of the YCT also received backlash from the community regarding an "Affirmative Action Bake Sale", in which they charged different genders and races different prices.

References

References

1. "VOTE SMART - Young Conservatives of Texas".
2. "Chapters - Young Conservatives of TexasYoung Conservatives of Texas".
3. "About - Young Conservatives of TexasYoung Conservatives of Texas".
4. (January 4, 2011). "Steve Munisteri - Young Conservatives of TexasYoung Conservatives of Texas".
5. Kingkade, Tyler. (October 1, 2013). "Conservative Students Think Affirmative Action Bake Sale Is A Good Idea". Huffington Post.
6. (Nov 19, 2013). "Texas young conservatives group cancels 'Catch an Illegal Immigrant' game". NBC News.
7. Khan, Azmar. (October 11, 2019). "UNT Democrats' anti-ICE rally met with counter-protests from Young Conservatives of Texas".
8. (July 17, 2020). "Young Conservatives university group accused of racist bake sale, mocking pronouns and vile HIV discrimination".