California – Berkeley Closes Streets, Police Align For Orthodox Jewish Conservative Talk

    11

    A man holds a sign next to two police officers in riot gear during a counter-demonstration against the planned speech by conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro at UC Berkeley in Berkeley, California, U.S. September 14, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen LamCalifornia – Police in riot gear ringed the campus of the University of California, Berkeley and surrounding streets Thursday, making sure a smattering of protesters were kept away from dozens of people who lined up to hear a conservative speaker at the famously liberal university.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    A handful of people chanted “shame, shame, shame” at those headed into the speech by former Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro. Others held signs protesting the university’s decision to host him.

    Only two arrests were reported before the speech began. People were taken into custody for battery on a police officer and carrying a banned weapon.

    Hundreds of others gathered just to watch the scene unfold on the campus that was on virtual lockdown much of the day.

    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.

    Authorities sealed off Sproul Plaza — the central hub of the campus — and created a perimeter around several buildings, including the site where Shapiro was set to speak to about 1,000 people who received free tickets.

    Shapiro was invited to speak by campus Republicans, who say the liberal university stifles the voice of conservative speakers.

    Spencer Brown, a spokesman for Young America’s Foundation, the group organizing Shapiro’s lecture series, “Campus Thuggery,” said there should be few problems if police backed up their show of force.

    Nick Handley, 18, a high school senior from Modesto, about 85 miles (135 kilometers) east of Berkeley, was among those lined up to see Shapiro. He said he tried to get other people to come with him, but they were afraid about potential violence.
    A police officer confiscates a sign as counter-demonstrators rally against the planned speech by conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro at UC Berkeley in Berkeley, California, U.S. September 14, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
    “It really is sad,” he said, referring to the heavy police presence. “This is taxpayer money. It’s terrible they have to have this because a speaker wants to share his views.”

    UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof estimated security costs could hit $600,000 for the event. He said the school was committed to ensuring the safety of students and people attending the event, and to making it successful.

    The city and campus have become a flashpoint this year for the country’s political divisions, drawing extremist groups from the left and right.

    “We can’t turn a blind eye to reality and to what we’ve learned from recent events on this campus and in this city and around the country,” Mogulof said.

    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.
    Police officers gather behind a barricade before a speaking engagement by Ben Shapiro on the campus of the University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., Thursday, Sep. 14, 2017. AP


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    11 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    bsnow
    bsnow
    6 years ago

    These leftist liberal are animal. They are true haters. Don’t believe in what american is about like freedom, free speech, etc.
    Obumer enabled these Chayas!

    6 years ago

    liberal loony lefties

    6 years ago

    Wow what a suprise. And I thought only white supremacists are violent.
    Plus Ben Shapiro a frum Jewish writer for brietbart. And I thought brietbart is anti semetic . I guess I was feed some fake news

    lazy-boy
    Active Member
    lazy-boy
    6 years ago

    I remember the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley in the 60’s; it seems nothing has changed. Either your espouse the liberal view or they will riot and call you names. No thinking involved.

    The concept of free speech was to allow both sides to give their view points in a manner that the other side could respond with an intelligent rebuttal, but that does not seem to exist any more.

    puppydogs
    puppydogs
    6 years ago

    So much for free speech by these left wings nuts.

    $600k what a waste of taxpayer money.

    6 years ago

    ANY PROTEST who are arrested and convicted should have to pay minimum of 10% of all police protection. It should be a condition of being release from prison. Have their families pony up for their nonsense. Maybe parent will give a care about how they are raising these animals

    puppydogs
    puppydogs
    6 years ago

    His speech last night was right on target. Approved once again that the Alt Left & Antifa are a bunch of phonies. Good to see he and the thousands they let in standing up for free speech and not be intimidated by the liberal bullies.

    Moose
    Moose
    6 years ago

    Interesting how rare it is; to need special security when a Liberal speaks.
    I guess free speech only for those who are smart enough to agree.