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The nationwide campus tour by Turning Point USA concluded on Monday evening at the University of California, Berkeley, two months after the tragic passing of its founder, Charlie Kirk, who lost his life during a speaking engagement at a Utah college.
The event, held at Zellerbach Hall, attracted a large crowd inside while a significant number of protestors gathered outside. Students and activists assembled hours before the event commenced, wielding signs and voicing their dissent.
Although organizers were prepared for demonstrations, the situation intensified quickly. The entrance line had to be relocated further along the street due to increasing congestion and confrontations. Additionally, several speakers criticized the university for logistical issues that arose during ticketing.
Outside, protestors expressed vehement disapproval of Turning Point USA’s presence at the UC Berkeley campus.
Stella, a student among the protestors, stated, “It’s outrageous that our facilities and resources are being used for this. They should take it elsewhere, we don’t want them here.”
Another masked protestor added, “Such events should never take place on this campus or anywhere else in the future.”
Inside, the event continued despite the unrest. Supporters of Kirk and Turning Point USA remained undeterred.
One attendee, Grace Fortune, said she got dirty looks on campus for wearing a T-shirt that had mentions of Jesus and Kirk.
“When you see someone that courageous with their faith, you’re like why am I not that courageous with my faith” said Fortune. “I shouldn’t be afraid to wear a shirt that says ‘Jesus’ on it.”
Fortune said while purchasing a T-shirt for her husband from a street vendor, she witnessed him get beat up by a protestor. San Francisco ABC station KGO-TV’s cameras captured the vendor, with a bloody face, getting escorted away by police while another man was arrested.
Bernt Wahl, another attendee said he is more neutral.
“I want to encourage free ideas, don’t want one side to dominate the other,” said Wahl. “There are valid points on both sides.”
MORE: Erika Kirk elected as new CEO for Turning Point USA after husband’s death
Actor Rob Schneider, one of the evening’s speakers, criticized the university’s handling of the event and broader free speech issues: “Shame on you, Berkeley,” he said.
Addressing protestors, he added, “They’re coming from a place of emotion, and that’s tough.”
Even without Kirk, the event concluded with Turning Point USA’s signature “Prove Me Wrong” format, inviting attendees to ask questions and share their perspectives.
Outside, protestors remained vocal throughout the evening, shouting at attendees as they exited. Police stayed throughout the night, escorting attendees as they left campus.
UC Berkeley officials released a statement to ABC sister station, KGO-TV, in San Francisco on Tuesday writing:
UC Berkeley condemns all violence and will hold accountable anyone who violates the law or campus regulations. The University is firmly committed to an open and robust marketplace of ideas and to maintaining a campus where people of all beliefs and perspectives can feel safe and respected.
There is no place at UC Berkeley for attempts to use violence or intimidation to prevent lawful expression or chill free speech. The University is conducting a full investigation and intends to fully cooperate with and assist any federal investigations and the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify the outside agitators responsible for attempting to disrupt last night’s TPUSA event.
UC Berkeley will take all appropriate steps to safeguard the right of every member of our community to speak and assemble freely.
Thanks to the dedication and cooperation of numerous University, state, and local police officers, the efforts to prevent last night’s event did not succeed.
Instead, the TPUSA event proceeded safely and without interruption, with more than 900 participants in attendance. Several arrests were made in connection with the event by both city and university police. UC Berkeley appreciates and commends the officers and staff who helped preserve both public safety and freedom of speech on our campus. The University remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold open dialogue, respect, and the rule of law.
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