5 Arrested as Hundreds Protest Against Ann Coulter’s Speech At UC Berkeley
Ann Coulter’s appearance at the University of California Berkeley drew nearly 400 attendees and hundreds of protestors Wednesday night. The UC Berkely Police arrested multiple masked protesters before the event started, and at least five people were arrested at the rally.
The Berkeley College Republicans student group hosted the event with Ann Coulter titled, Adios America. Two hours before the event, hundreds of protesters blocked the entrance by forming a chain in front of Wheeler Hall. The protesters held up signs that read, “Adios Ann KKKoulter” while chanting “white supremacy hell no, Ann Coulter has got to go” and “Nazis go home.”
Police were there to escort event attendees, but several attendees were assaulted as they tried to make their way through the crowd.
Three hundred tickets were sold for Coulter’s talk, and roughly 350-400 were present at the event.
Hundreds of people have shown up to tonight’s protest, some chanting alongside protesters themselves and others observing #Coulterprotest pic.twitter.com/UQrtwwKQFX
— Amber Tang (@ambertang_dc) November 21, 2019
Protesters set up a projector in front of Wheeler Hall that read: Why do the Berkeley College Republicans keep inviting Nazis on campus?
Protesters have set up a projector on the front of Wheeler Hall #coulterprotest pic.twitter.com/DYFCrLYUza
— jake souza (@jsouza_dailycal) November 21, 2019
In 2017, Coulter was forced to cancel her speech at Berkeley because officials told her a “protectable venue” was not available. Berkeley students sued school officials saying the cancellation was discriminatory and violated their rights of free speech.
An event attendee attempts to enter Wheeler Hall but is quickly stopped by protesters with linked arms #Coulterprotest pic.twitter.com/cJ0rP2tn3Z
— Amber Tang (@ambertang_dc) November 21, 2019
The Free Speech Movement was born at University of Berkeley in 1964 -65, but look what it has become today.
Protesters were filmed harassing and stealing a student’s ticket to prevent her from entering the event.
Left-wing protesters at @UCBerkeley block a woman from entering Wheeler Hall for the @AnnCoulter event. A protester then pretends to be with the event organizers in order to steal the woman’s ticket. pic.twitter.com/z4YrZXsVqX
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) November 21, 2019
Protesters have formed a human wall on the south side of Wheeler Hall #Coulterprotest pic.twitter.com/sH3ERrKKVz
— Amber Tang (@ambertang_dc) November 21, 2019
Protesters shouted “shame on you” as attendees exited the building after the speech.
Demonstrators chanting “shame on you” as Ann Coulter speech attendees exit the building #coulterprotest pic.twitter.com/SBKYMqSgj9
— jake souza (@jsouza_dailycal) November 21, 2019