BREAKING: Three individuals were arrested Monday night at UC Berkeley during a controversial event hosted by Turning Point USA, marking the group’s first visit to a California college since the fatal shooting of co-founder Charlie Kirk on September 10. The event, part of the “American Comeback Tour,” quickly escalated into chaos as hundreds of protesters gathered outside Zellerbach Hall.
The situation intensified when a fight broke out, resulting in the detention of two people. One protester, identifiable by a red shirt labeled “freedom,” sustained injuries to the face. A third individual breached security barricades, leading to their arrest as tensions flared between supporters and opponents of the event.
Protesters expressed their disapproval vocally and through actions, throwing multiple glass containers filled with a blue substance, which caused attendees to flee towards the venue’s entrance. A rock was also thrown, hitting a police officer’s face shield.
“That was really scary,” said Brynn Pannier, an 18-year-old attendee who traveled from Davis. She described the moment as overwhelming, stating, “I felt scared. I felt nervous. Things were being thrown, you know, and I lost my friends.”
Authorities had anticipated unrest, deploying a significant police presence from surrounding agencies to ensure safety. Dan Mogulof, a spokesperson for UC Berkeley, emphasized the university’s commitment to facilitating events for all student groups, stating, “We have an unwavering commitment to supporting any and every student group who wishes to meet on campus.”
The event’s timing, shortly after Kirk’s death, has reignited discussions around political violence and the challenging balance between security and free speech on university campuses. As officials continue to monitor the situation, the impact of this event reverberates beyond Berkeley, highlighting the heightened tensions surrounding political discourse in educational environments.
Campus protest regular Anika Yadav remarked on the overwhelming police presence, saying, “It’s shocking to see this.”
As this story develops, further updates will be provided on the aftermath and implications of the evening’s events. Stay tuned for more information as authorities continue to investigate.
