A phalanx of police and a campus on virtual lockdown Thursday accomplished the University of California, Berkeley administration’s goal of allowing a conservative to speak at the famously liberal university, which has become known more recently for its violent demonstrations between those with opposing viewpoints.
Outside, hundreds of protesters were allowed to voice their displeasure over the speech by former Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro, chanting “no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.” Others held signs objecting to the university hosting Shapiro.
Orderly event, a few arrests
“For the most part it was an orderly event, attended by respectful orderly people,” UC Police Chief Margo Bennett said. “The crowd in the street was loud, but not violent.”
Bennett said four or five people were arrested on city property, though Berkeley police tweeted later Thursday night that nine had been arrested.
“We had a successful event tonight,” UC spokesman Dan Mogulof said, adding that the university is committed to hosting speakers like Shapiro in the future. He estimated security costs could hit $600,000 for the event.
Streets were closed and concrete barriers were erected in what many saw as the latest polarizing event to raise concerns about violence in the city.
Xochitl Johnson, an organizer with Refuse Fascism, a group protesting Shapiro’s speech, attacked the university for deploying police for what she said was the creation of a safe space for fascists. She said it was wrong for the school to shut down the campus to let him speak.
Shapiro was invited to speak by campus Republicans, who say the liberal university stifles the voice of conservative speakers.
Earlier event canceled
Police and UC Berkeley officials were criticized last February for giving demonstrators wide latitude and standing aside as anarchists hurled Molotov cocktails at officers and caused $100,000 worth of damage during a planned speech by right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. The event was canceled.
A list of banned items Thursday included shields, masks, bandanas, poles and torches, and for the first time in two decades, the city council authorized city officers to use pepper spray to control violence.
Four political demonstrations have turned violent in Berkeley since February, prompting officers to come up with new strategies to control rowdy and sometimes dangerous crowds.
Thursday’s event was being seen as a test run for later in the month, when Yiannopoulos plans to return to campus for what he is calling a “Free Speech Week” on campus featuring conservative commentator Ann Coulter and Steve Bannon, ex-chief strategist for President Donald Trump who has returned to Breitbart News. Campus officials say that event is not yet confirmed.
For his part, Shapiro opened his speech by denouncing white supremacy and small-mindedness. He urged people to sit and down and talk to people who have different political views than them rather than yelling at those who are not like them.
“Get to know people, get to know their views. Discuss, debate,” Shapiro said. “That is what America is all about.”
