Crowds Protest Outside of Conservative Speech at UC Berkeley

Hundreds of people swarmed the UC Berkeley campus in protest as conservative commentator Ben Shapiro spoke Thursday evening.

Police with riot gear surrounded the plaza in front of Zellerbach Hall, where the former Breitbart editor spoke as part of his “Campus Thuggery” tour. Tickets sold out for the event that was hosted by campus Republicans.

Ben Shapiro speaking inside the 1,000-seat Zellberbach Hall. (Sheraz Sadiq/KQED)

Zachary Bruno, 32, of San Mateo said that he attended to “support free speech.”

Several streets around and on campus were closed off with concrete and plastic barriers to create a perimeter around the hall to keep the speech attendees and protesters away from each other. Sproul Hall was closed as well.

Eighteen-year-old high school senior Nick Handley says he tried to get others to come to Berkeley with him from Modesto, but says they were scared about the potential violence.

Handley says the heavy police presence is sad, particularly since taxpayer money is being spent.

UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof said the security could cost $600,000.

Protests began well before the speech. A small group of Refuse Fascism demonstrators spoke in front officers in riot gear who formed a line outside the campus store.

Reverend Aaron, from Punks for Progress spoke at a smaller protest before the speech. (Sheraz Sadiq/KQED)

“Let’s make this the last time humanity has to fight against fascism,” said Reverend Aaron with Punks for Progress.

By 6:30 p.m. Berkeley police had arrested three people for carrying banned weapons, according to their official Twitter account. One woman was also arrested on suspicion of battery on a police officer.

Police also confiscated signs, saying that wooden sticks could be used as weapons. Even infamous Bay Area demonstrator Frank Chu was not exempt.

The demonstrations have been peaceful.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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