Midwest student filmed screaming ‘Go back to your own country’ was hurling insult at white man from Russia who’s notorious for hurling sexist insults

A University of Saint Thomas nursing student was criticised after a video showed her telling a protester to “go back to your own country” outside a Turning Point USA event at the University of Minnesota. Other footage later showed the protester, Derek Torstenson, using vulgar insults and displaying an obscene sign before her remark, adding context to the viral exchange.

The event featured activist Riley Gaines, and the student’s comment was viewed more than 10 million times after it was shared online. Torstenson, an activist adopted from Russia, has been reported as a regular at Twin Cities protests and has faced criticism for earlier confrontations. The University of Saint Thomas confirmed the student attends the school and said it would address the incident under its conduct code while respecting student privacy.