Riot breaks out at UC Berkeley amid protest of Breitbart editor's speech (VIDEO)
A protest turned violent at the University of California at Berkeley, resulting in the cancellation of a talk from editor of Breitbart News Milo Yiannopoulos.
Milo Yiannopoulos was expected speak against “sanctuary campuses,” which promised to protect undocumented students in wake of President Donald Trump's tough stance on illegal immigration.
In response to the violence, UC Berkeley Police have warned students to "leave the area immediately," as they are bringing in "additional resources."
Hours after a lockdown was declared across campus by police, many orders of dispersal, including several five-minute warnings went largely ignored.
PD now warning crowd they may use chemical agents + batons to get crowd at @UCBerkeley#miloatcal protest to leave. Didn't go over well. pic.twitter.com/i4KRg9rHYa
— Gillian Edevane (@GillianNBC) February 2, 2017
Once those backup forces arrived, police used a bullhorn to warn protesters they would be subject to force, "including but not limited to chemical agents, batons and less lethal munitions."
Yiannopoulos event canceled https://t.co/zryxeB6vWz#miloatcalpic.twitter.com/BAm35HiSEx
— UC Berkeley (@UCBerkeley) February 2, 2017
KTVU reported that there were no police present when the riots began. College Republicans paid a mandatory security fee but are now asking what good it did.
#miloatcal Protest moving into South Berkeley. Cal students in the area please shelter in place for your safety @UCB_ResHall@BerkeleyRHA
— UC Police, Berkeley (@UCPD_Cal) February 2, 2017
Around 8:00pm local time, protesters moved off campus, onto surrounding streets including Telegraph Avenue.
Rioters attempting to block traffic did not appear to stop a white BMW that sped off with at least one person still clinging to the vehicle. The unruly crowd then chased the car down the street, but Michael Bodley of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a different, unrelated driver was then attacked with pepper-spray while his vehicle was struck with stakes. "It was a white car," Bodley reported someone yelling.
WOAH. Protestors blocked car in Berkeley. Driver ran them over. Sped off. #Milopic.twitter.com/GeVVphFxjd
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
People took off running after the car. Mistakenly surrounded another - wrong place, wrong time - who was assaulted. Driver OK, I think.
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
A Walgreens pharmacy was spray-painted with the words "Kill fascists," while Bank of America ATMs were smashed.
Fresh paint at Walgreen's pic.twitter.com/7d2L5XYdLv
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
Things are getting violent – smashing ATMs #MiloAtCalpic.twitter.com/6acLn9q8P2
— Sahil Chinoy (@sahilchinoy) February 2, 2017
A female Trump supporter was attacked with pepper-spray by a rioter during an interview with local TV media. Others were struck with flag poles hoisted by black-clad anarchists.
My friend was giving an interview when some coward peppersprayed her #Berkeleypic.twitter.com/CDpEqDsw2A
— janey (@janeygak) February 2, 2017
They are surrounding people and beating them with Antifa flags and poles. pic.twitter.com/v3o1kEpwFj
— Just Call Me Mister (@MisterMetokur) February 2, 2017
Another woman was seen being hit with a black flag and pole before being pepper-sprayed.
Young girl doing nothing, has head smashed with a pole then she's tear gassed by #antifa hello @ucdp_cal @UCBerkeley#UCBerkeley#MiloAtCalpic.twitter.com/VSFW5A6fDO
— Patriotic Rosie (@almostjingo) February 2, 2017
A rioter dressed in black was captured on video reportedly striking an attendee in the head with a bike lock.
protestor at #MiloYiannopoulos UC Berkeley protest tonight hit in head with bike lock @berkeleyside@ktvu@kron4news@abc7newsbayareapic.twitter.com/iyGxCLYN0B
— Daniel McPartlan (@dancalbear) February 2, 2017
There were also reports of punching, as well as fireworks thrown and a tree being set on fire.
Antifa are out of control attacking people and setting off fires. pic.twitter.com/3s3swrYSzf
— Just Call Me Mister (@MisterMetokur) February 2, 2017
@berkeleyside: Protestors dressed in masks and black clothing join demonstration against Yiannopoulos. Rocks thrown at @UCPD_Calpic.twitter.com/JaH5AGtali
— Carlo David (@carlodavid1115) February 2, 2017
Just toppled a light pole. Craziest protest I've seen in Berkeley by far. Crowd fast turning violent. pic.twitter.com/5ujFLOtA4u
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
Hundreds of protesters, some covered in masks, also broke windows and pulled down metal barricades that police set up, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Protestors moving to surround attendees. "Fuck those fascists." pic.twitter.com/iWxDshm41p
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
There are reports of outbreaks of physical violence and rioters attempting to surround attendees, whom they deemed "fascists."
"Fuck, we didn't get that one," one student mutters as second flood light shines over crowd. #Milopic.twitter.com/vXfpXPUN1Y
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
There's a burning "Make America Great Again" hat as the "F Donald Trump" chants pick up. #Milopic.twitter.com/dM6gdEnf5V
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 2, 2017
#BREAKING: UC Berkeley planned event by @Breitbart editor #MiloYiannopoulos is canceled after protest turns violent pic.twitter.com/KsTPQ2yfNG
— Kris Cruz (@rc_kris) February 2, 2017
Berkeley Police reported their officers were targeted with projectiles, including bricks and smoking objects. The university's police locked down campus buildings and ordered the public to shelter in place.
Tear gas #miloatcalpic.twitter.com/CTvq5MYq7F
— Angela T-T (@awildtangela) February 2, 2017
Tear gas was deployed after many calls from police for the crowd to disperse or face arrest for unlawful assembly. There were several five-minute warnings proclaimed from police PA systems.
UCPD has issued a stay away in or near Bancroft and Telegraph due to major protest attacks. https://t.co/XxBWL3OaeZ#miloatcal
— UC Police, Berkeley (@UCPD_Cal) February 2, 2017
BREAKING: The scheduled performance by Milo Yiannopoulos has been cancelled. More info to come.
— UC Berkeley (@UCBerkeley) February 2, 2017
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence and unlawful behavior that was on display and deeply regret that those tactics will now overshadow the efforts to engage in legitimate and lawful protest against the performer’s presence and perspectives," UC Berkeley's Public Affairs office said in response to the riots.
Students were not the only ones to have objected to Yiannopoulos event at the university.
After the editor accepted the invitation, a group of faculty members urged Chancellor Nicholas Dirks to cancel the event. More than 100 Berkeley faculty blamed the editor for provoking “incitement, harassment, and defamation.”
“Although we object strenuously to Yiannopoulos’s views — he advocates white supremacy, transphobia, and misogyny — it is rather his harmful conduct to which we call attention in asking for the cancellation of this event,” read the first of two letters from faculty members.
The College Republicans issued a statement, saying, "The Free Speech Movement is dead. Today, the Berkeley College Republicans' constitutional right to free speech was silenced by criminals and thugs seeking to cancel Milo Yiannopoulos' tour. Their success is a defeat for civilized society and the free exchange of ideas on college campuses across America. We would like to thank UCPD and the university administration for doing all they could to ensure the safety of everyone involved. It is tragic that the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement is also its final resting place."