A student at Minnesota State University (MSU) Mankato has come forward with concerns about a recent campus event focused on spreading Marxism, alleging the seminar included anti-American rhetoric.
The event, held April 17 on campus and publicly advertised as a Marxism seminar, was hosted by a registered student organization (RSO) called “Mavericks for Change”— a “progressive leftist student group” on campus, according to the facilitator who spoke at the event.
The student who recorded the meeting said he was concerned about the tone and content of the discussion he heard, calling it “alarming” and “anti-American.”
The student, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, told Alpha News he recorded the full two-hour session and believes the content raises serious questions about political extremism being promoted at the public university.
“I believe what this university group is doing is alarming,” the student told Alpha News. “They talked about their plans for Mankato and for Minnesota and how they want to take advantage of the growing left-leaning population. It goes beyond progressive politics. It’s anti-American.”
The student claims MSU Mankato professor Paul Prew approached him during the seminar after noticing they were recording.
“He came right up to my face, practically touching my cheek, and told me to stop recording,” the student said. “I didn’t respond. A little later during the Q&A he told the entire room someone was filming. That’s when I left.”
While MSU Mankato confirmed to Alpha News that Prew was in attendance at the event, it said he did not have an official role.
However, the student Alpha News spoke to alleges that Prew plays a significant role in “promoting leftist ideology on campus.”
“MSU Mankato’s RSOs all require an instructor to lead the RSO,” said the student. “They disguise themselves under the name of ‘Mavericks for Change,’ when they’re not open to the public about their Marxist beliefs and hide it under the name of ‘democracy.'”
“Professor Prew is openly a Marxist professor and is open about spreading Marx’s ideologies,” said the student, who took a photo of the sign on Prew’s office door that includes a quote from Karl Marx.
Prew’s academic work shows a strong affinity toward Marxist theory and critiques of capitalism. On his personal website, Prew says that he has “come to see my role as less of a teacher and more of an advocate.”
“All University employees are obligated to act civilly, respectfully and professionally towards others, and similarly, students are responsible for demonstrating civility to others in all their interactions,” the university said in a statement.
Seminar content: Anti-capitalist and anti-religious themes
During the April 17 seminar, the Mavericks for Change facilitator—who identified himself as “Jordan”—provided an overview of Marxist theory, including its historical roots and focus on class consciousness, while criticizing capitalism and its influence on societal institutions.
“Capitalism is going to be reinforced by educational institutions, religious institutions, entertainment, culture, in churches—everywhere you see,” Jordan said. “Schools are talking [about] how to be a factory worker … propaganda about socialism, and they’re going to make sure that when you enter society you’re going to support capitalism as an adult. And in churches, they’re going to make up excuses and use scripture to uphold the current system.”
Jordan turned his attention to President Donald Trump and his supporters.
“Now we have fascism on the rise in the United States where Trump wants to protect this American identity and be patriots and loyally blind to the country—to build up our economic base and have tariffs from other countries,” said Jordan. “That’s when you see fascism on the rise.”
MSU Mankato responds
“Minnesota State Mankato did not sponsor the event,” the university said in a statement to Alpha News. “The event was sponsored by a registered student organization [RSO].”
“The University does not endorse the personal views of any student, registered student organization [RSO] or any employee or groups with which they are affiliated,” the university stated.
“As an institution of higher learning, Minnesota State Mankato respects and will protect the rights of our students, staff, and faculty to free speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.”
Recent anti-ICE protests on campus
The student also shared a video they had previously filmed during a recent protest on campus—organized by Mavericks For Change.
The student says he recognized many of the same attendees from the protest in the Marxism 101 seminar.
The April 9 protest drew about 50 students, staff, and supporters who gathered outside the student union to rally against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At the protest, organizers and attendees chanted about abolishing ICE.
“Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE,” the group chanted, along with, “No borders, no nations, stop the deportations.”
The demonstration followed news that five international students at MSU Mankato had their visas revoked, and a sixth was detained.
Organizers encouraged international students not to attend the rally, fearing they could be targeted by ICE, according to the Mankato Free Press.
The student who recorded both the protest and the Marxism seminar believes faculty and students involved in these events are part of a broader political agenda operating on campus.
“They don’t say things outright—they use coded language. But if you analyze their words, it’s clear they’re pushing something radical,” the student said.
Minneapolis hosted a Marxist School in 2023
The seminar at MSU Mankato comes amid a broader trend of Marxist organizing across Minnesota.
In 2023, Alpha News reported on a “Marxist School” held in Minneapolis by the International Marxist Tendency (IMT), where participants praised the 2020 George Floyd riots and implied that similar “socialist” uprisings will take place in the future.
The event, advertised with slogans such as “Join the communists,” highlighted an increasing willingness among certain groups in Minnesota to align with communist ideology.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
