BERKELEY, Calif. – Fights and altercations broke out Monday night at the University of California, Berkeley, as Turning Point USA held its final campus tour stop of the year.
Chaotic scene
Local perspective:
KTVU’s Crystal Bailey reported from the scene, describing some bloody skirmishes. Early on, authorities said one Turning Point attendee and one protester were detained.
Berkeley and UC Berkeley campus police confirmed four arrests, saying two of which were the Turning Point supporter and the protester seen on video during a violent altercation. They said one of the arrests was for battery. Police said they would have more details on the arrests soon.
Aerial footage captured the violent confrontation in which a person dressed in dark clothing pummeled someone wearing a red T-shirt on the sidewalk outside the event. Dozens of people remained in line as tensions flared, creating what Bailey described as a rowdy scene.
Prior to the protest, four students were separately arrested overnight for vandalism related to the event.
Hundreds of demonstrators showed up to protest.
Flyers opposing Turning Point USA’s visit were also posted around campus leading up to the tour stop.
Protesters condemn Turning Point USA
What they’re saying:
“We want to make clear that we’re not going to be intimidated and this is not the campus to do this on,” said Hoku Jeffrey of By Any Means Necessary Coalition.
Jeffrey added, “Charlie Kirk was not about promoting free speech and open debate. He was about trying to bully and intimidate people into silence and submission.”
“I don’t think that we have a hateful country, I think we have a really poorly educated country,” said another protester who did not give a name.
Signs outside the event read “Down with Transphobes” and “Down with White Supremacists.”
Event goes on without major disruptions
A spokesperson for the event said things inside the hall went off without a hitch, were peaceful and that there were no incidents or disruptions inside during the several-hour event.
The gathering marked the final stop of the conservative organization’s campus tour. Kirk, 31, had been scheduled to appear before he was shot and killed in September while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider and Dr. Frank Turek, a mentor of Kirk’s, stepped in to lead the discussion in his memory.
“He really wanted to empower young people, because this is your country, you are the future,” said Schneider. “People say that all the time, but I mean it and he meant it.”
Speakers described Kirk as a figure who challenged conventions and promoted free expression on college campuses. But outside the venue, demonstrators criticized his record, citing his far-right views and controversial comments about the LGBTQ community and minorities.
A sizable security presence monitored the event inside the hall, as demonstrations continued outside.
Heightened security measures
UC Berkeley officials said security would be tight for Monday’s event, with extra personnel on hand to ensure safety. Turning Point USA hired their own security for the event. San Francisco sheriff’s deputies were also on scene. A police barricade has been erected at the event to keep people out.
One woman who had tickets to the event was having trouble getting inside the hall because of the mass of security and protesters.
Once the event concluded, the Berkeley Police Department had no immediate new information to share.
Police are expected to remain at the scene to keep the peace.
Event marks two months since founder’s death
What we know:
The event at Zellerbach Hall also marked two months since Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in what authorities have described as a politically motivated attack during an appearance at Utah Valley University.
Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization that promotes conservative values on high school and college campuses.
Monday’s event featured comedian and filmmaker Rob Schneider and Christian author Frank Turek, who appeared in place of Kirk, who had been scheduled to headline the tour.
Attendees trickled out from the event at around 8:45 p.m. and were met with police, clad in riot gear.
University Response
UC Berkeley Assistant Vice Chancellor Dan Mogulof told Fox News Digital that the university was aware of the planned protest.
“The protest in question is being organized by a group that has no affiliation with the university,” Mogulof said. “It is not one of our 1,000+ Registered Student Organizations. The university has been absolutely clear: Our student organizations have every right to invite whoever they wish to events on campus. Together with our police force we will, as always, take whatever measures are deemed necessary to have a safe and successful event.”
Mogulof said the protest appeared to be organized by a group called Students Organizing for Liberation, which is not a registered student organization. However, some other groups listed on the protest flyer are recognized campus groups and therefore subject to the Student Code of Conduct.
He added that the university was treating the Turning Point USA event like any other major campus event while upholding First Amendment rights.
“The campus fully supports the rights and ability of every single student organization to invite whatever speakers they wish, regardless of their beliefs or perspectives,” said Mogulof.
Fights break out ahead of Turning Point USA event on UC Berkeley campus
Fights and altercations are breaking out on UC Berkeley’s campus on Monday just as a Turning Point USA event at Zellerbach Hall got underway. KTVU’s Crystal Bailey reports live from the scene where some detainments have been made at the event associated for the organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Event draws supporters
The other side:
The president of the UC Berkeley chapter of Turning Point USA said the group has a strong membership and that all 1,900 tickets for the event were sold out.
Many attendees said they came from across the Bay Area and beyond to show their support.
Before the event began, attendee Mary Pelican said she was there to honor Kirk and his legacy.
“We’re here to honor Charlie, and we want to spread the word for the young people,” Pelican said.
“I came down because I’m a big fan of Charlie Kirk,” said Ben, who drove from Sacramento. “He was an inspiration to my generation, and I really want to see TPUSA continue in the direction he wanted it to go.”
“I just want to make sure we’re able to freely speak about things that might offend other people and inform others,” said Eric G. of Alameda County.
“It’s definitely gotten a lot more out of control the later it’s gotten,” said David Mock of Sacramento. “People are upset but everyone has a right to free speech. Everyone has a right to protest as long as it doesn’t get violent. That’s what matters.”
Joey Bright, a registered Independent voter from Oakland, said she’s an experienced protester herself. She was a ticket holder and supported Turning Point USA. “I know that if it goes on too long and they don’t feel satisfied, this crowd, all the people that have been smoking weed and drinking that are right in front of the university here and these people that get really riled up…”
The Source: Information for this story comes from the social media account of Students Organizing for Liberation at UC Berkeley, Fox News Digital, along with KTVU reporting.
