Academia, Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Society

Protesters Torch Free Speech At Berkeley In Latest Example of Mob Rule On America’s College Campuses

milo_yiannopoulos_journalist_broadcaster_and_entrepreneur-1441_8961808556_croppedSeal_of_University_of_California,_Berkeley.svgWe recently discussed the courageous stand of the University of Chicago in favor of free speech (a position followed by schools like Purdue). Free speech is being rapidly diminished on our campuses as an ever-widening scope of speech has been declared hate speech or part of the ill-defined “microaggression.” Now Berkeley has shown the world exactly what this intolerance looks like as protesters attacked people, burned property, and rioted to stop other people from hearing the views of a conservative speaker. As on so many campuses, they succeeded. The speech by Milo Yiannopoulos was cancelled. A triumph of anti-speech protesters. Berkeley now must face a defining moment. The only appropriate response for the school is to immediately reschedule the speaker and stand in defiance of those who want to deny the right to speak (and to hear and associate) to others. Moreover, it is liberals who should be on the forefront in denouncing these protests and the effort to stop this event. Otherwise, it can follow the lead of schools like DePaul and cast aside free speech in yielding to the mob.

Berkeley has previously been a battleground over effective speech codes and an example of the crackdown on free speech on college campuses as administrators punish any speech deemed insensitive or the still ill-defined category of “microaggressions.” One of the greatest concerns is the double standard showed to different speakers based on their content. The University of California at Berkeley is the most recent example of this controversy. In columns for the Daily Californian titled “Speaking Out”, “Fucking White Boys,” and “Choosing Myself Over White People”, Maggie Lam mocked and ridiculed white people. A column using such language mocking people of color would instantly trigger demands for expulsion.

Protesters not only succeeded in blocking others from hearing from this speaker but they then proceeded to riot and destroy property outside of campus. This is the result of years of academics declaring some speech as unworthy of protection and enabling students who believe that no one should be allowed to express views that they feel is discriminatory or demeaning or hateful.

Yiannopoulos is a gay conservative who is a popular speaker with his “Dangerous Faggot” talks. Hours before his event, protesters began throwing fireworks and destroying property to stop him from speaking. People who came to see him were reportedly attacked — an ironic twist for protesters who said that they wanted to fight hate speech. Protesters chanted “Milo has got to go” in an effort to prevent people from hearing his views.

Berkeley can yield to the mob and surrender free speech to a violent mob. Alternatively, it can reschedule the event and expel any students who engage in violence on campus. The choice is between being a place of learning and being a place of indoctrination. This is one of the truly great universities in the world and once the center of the fight for free speech in the 60s. At one time it was the students who stood bravely for free speech. Now it must be the faculty. I know little about this speaker and I have never read his work. I do not have to. There are those who want to hear from him. A college is a place where different voices should be heard. These protesters are the face of true intolerance. What they are attempting to do is inimical to the being essence of academic institutions.

Berkeley insists that the violence was committed by “outsiders.” I hope so. I have no problem with student protesters who disagree with a speaker. However, I wish that I would see just one college where a speaker like Yiannopoulos was protected by a line of “Liberals for Free Speech” who do not agree with him but support his right to speak. Those students who try to interrupt speakers or block doors (and we have seen many in the last couple years) are seeking to censor the speech of others.

Berkeley needs to bring this speaker back.

246 thoughts on “Protesters Torch Free Speech At Berkeley In Latest Example of Mob Rule On America’s College Campuses”

  1. What did the hard Left think was going to happen? They have succeeded in convincing vulnerable, neurotic, naive people that anyone who disagrees with them is evil, that an opposing viewpoint is dangerous, and that they must at all costs have “safe spaces” free from uncomfortable contradictory opinions.

    Obviously, people actually started to believe this nonsense and react as if their very lives were in danger…by opposing viewpoints at a university. They have become fascists, wishing to impose government control on opinion. An example that comes to mind is if you do not want to participate in a gay wedding, you can be fined and lose your business. Only the approved thought pattern and opinion is allowed. I have recently learned that building a wall in Mexico is sincerely believed to be anti-Semitic because there are Jewish people living in Mexico. People actually believe this. They sincerely believe that there is an existential, life or death struggle against anyone and everyone who is not just a Democrat, but a hard Left Democrat.

    Universities used to be where kids went to become men and women. They were supposed to be challenged intellectually and emotionally by uncomfortable subjects, opposing viewpoints, and contradictory opinions. This is where you were finally considered mature enough to handle cuss words, stop being coddled, be responsible for showing up and your own academic performance, and to push your limits.

    How are these restrictions on free speech working out in our country? Are we willing to effectively protect the First Amendment? Because the sequence of events from complaining to sliding into a jaded perspective on the erosion of Free Speech is just commenting on the scenery. We need to sue these universities into the Stone Age until they learn that Constitutional rights may not be infringed, and we parents need to vote with our dollars.

    The attitudes shaped in universities today will be the controlling dogma of tomorrow. Do we really want the Berkley rioters to legislate speech restrictions in a couple of decades? Then stop the brainwashing in the university system.

  2. DEFUND UC-Berkeley and the rest of the Leftist gutter-pond-scum. That is what is needed.

    1. Ralph Adamo – least we forget, Janet Napolitano is Chancellor of the California universities.

  4. Were any of the rioters arrested? Would the actions of one or more of the rioters (the ones dressed in the black ISIS-like attire) be prosecutable as intimidation, threat, aggression, incitement to violence against a gay man expressing conservative views? Could a case be prosecuted against the rioters?

  5. This is a replay of the 1960s violence.
    Many of them were trying to start a US communist revolution. Seriously.
    It fizzled into the SDS and the Weathermen.

    Same thing now, but even better funded and organized.
    In fact, the left is extremely well organized.

    The left had signs made up against Gorsuch immediately.
    They have hundreds of lawyers to fight the travel ban.
    They arrange for porta-potties and water at marches and protests. Porta-potties!
    Even the Weathermen, who killed people, got off easy.
    Heck, two of them are professors in Chicago, and started Obama’s political career.

    Stepping over into violence and property damage is an extremely bad move, however.
    Let’s put it this way:
    You. Don’t. Want. Average. White. People. To. Riot.

    Once the non-lefties realize that they are being targeted, watch out.
    The right and the middle are unorganized, but have their own ways of responding when threatened.
    This was a very, very dangerous move by Soros and the violent left.

    1. Those laws don’t apply to Leftists in California, only non-Leftists. You have to read the fine print.

  7. Off topic-Ms Pelosi just announced the dems are going to attempt to put through a bill which would require the Pres to have a psychological exam because they carry the nuc codes. My hopes if the bill is passed she and the dems are the first to submit to such a test. Ms Nancy at times seems to have a number of psychological short comings. Such a test may bring the dems back to doing the business of the nation?

    1. No, the Leftists are doing what Leftists always do. They HATE America, the HATE freedom, they HATE liberty.

  9. “This is one of the truly great universities in the world and once the center of the fight for free speech in the 60s. At one time it was the students who stood bravely for free speech. Now it must be the faculty.”

    ******************

    Per news reports, some of the faculty were at the riot goading on the violence. You give too much credence to the maturity of Berkeley faculty. As for calling it a “truly great university,” well, let’s just say I’ll reserve my judgment pending the outcome of this debacle and attack on the Constitution. If Berkeley told cops to stand down while Berkeley burned (as well as surrounding businesses), what claim do they have to anything except accomplice to rioting?

  10. The Young Totalitarians have again gone ape-s**t, because the University dared to schedule a speaker whose views were deemed to fall outside the correct ideological parameters.

    2. That’s bloody fantastic. I remember the day, when I ‘turned’ from my then-perceived-can’t-be-wrong and perpetually naive take on the world and joined reality. And it was prompted not so much by an actual change in beliefs but by my utter embarrassment at the actions taken by those with whom I bonded and held similar beliefs — the libbies. Can’t say I’ve ever looked back.

    1. Did Hillary mention how much violence, arson and assault her Love Trumps Hate anti-fascist movement would require?

  14. At one time it was the students who stood bravely for free speech. Now it must be the faculty. I

    The faculty will do nothing. To be concerned about this is status-lowering in faculty subcultures and facultymembers are nothing if not other-directed and status conscious. And, of course, a critical mass of the faculty are fully on board with this behavior. Public universities have long since decayed into sandboxes for faculty and administration and state legislatures do nothing to repair matters.

  15. This madness must stop. The best way to protest Milo is to use humor. Make fun of him. I also think you have to consider agent provocateurs. They always recommend violence. Protesters should be aware of this and make a pact not to get violent. It’s inexcusable, ineffective and stupid.

    Now Trump is threatening to cut funding from UC Berkley. That’s just as bad as the protesters. It’s collective punishment and it is fascist on his part. He has no business threatening this. I’m disgusted with the violent protesters and I’m disgusted with Trump.

    Everyone needs to put their inner fascist under scrutiny. Passions are running high. We need to back down from our worst tendencies and honor our best instincts. I doubt very much that Trump and Company will do this, but we the people can.

    1. “Now Trump is threatening to cut funding from UC Berkley.”

      So our federal government should fund state universities that FAIL to provide adequate security for the rights of ALL involved?

      1. No Olly,

        I think you and I have a real difference on this matter. I don’t believe there is absolute safety in the world. I do not believe even a well intentioned govt. can “keep us safe”. This is a false goal, one which cannot be achieved in life. It is also a goal that’s being used to justify lawless actions by this (and the prior administration). Security is best served by the rule of law. Trump should follow it!

        You don’t cut off funding to the university. You make arrest and use normal law enforcement to deal with this situation.

    2. Hard for people that could be deported to have humor, Jill. Milo is a senior editor at Steve Bannon’s Breitbart and is very anti-Islam. They know who helped write that executive order. I am not walking in a scared Muslim student’s shoes so I am not going to judge them but you are absolutely right that violence should be strongly discouraged..

      1. SMMG,

        So what? He’s ripe for humor! These students need to be creative.

        I don’t care about anyone’s religion or if they are scared. I’ve been scared before and it’s awful. Nevertheless, his behavior is stupid and inexcusable. We are called to be courageous in the face of danger.

  16. Again, these hooligans are instruments of official policy. The Berkeley administration, the municipal government, and the courts all co-operate in a hive-like way to shield these people from consequences. The police are just there to contain damage to physical plant.

  17. Agent provocateurs can be hired by either side.

    If I had my way, I’d have the protestors download a laugh track on their smart phones, fill the audience to the rafters and set off peals of canned hysterical laughter at everything he says. He gets to talk, we get to laugh in response. Free speech.

    And then go back to the library and study. And call your congresspeople. Every day.

    1. No you don’t. You don’t get to go to a James Taylor concert, then stand up to render your own personal version of Fire and Rain. When you do so, you destroy other people’s right to hear James Taylor.

      Squeeky Fromm
      Girl Reporter

    2. Excellent replay;y harlemren!! I can hear the laughter now! Thanks for being reasonable.

    3. harlem – that is a childish response. People who disagree with Milo should either stay home or attend the event and grill him like an adult during the Q & A.

      This blowing of whistles, cat calling etc. makes SJWs look absurd and incapable of articulating a counter argument. Remember what happened at DePaul when the BLM interrupted his talk. Money was refunded the provost had to resign.

      Then there is also the case of Dr. Jordan Peterson who tried to have a sane dialog and all he got was churlish inane responses from the students.

    4. You’re advice Re. audio and acoustics is as stupid as your political hatred toward free speech. The acoustic power of a public address is several thousand times greater than every combined phone in the space.

      You’re advice is akin to smashing someone’s TV because you disagree w/the speaker.

      You remind me of someone plugging their ears saying, “I can’t hear you!.” What is the penalty for those who hear and agree?

      1. Joseph Jones – during the 70s they had sponge bricks you could buy to throw at the TV when you disagreed. Very effective.

  18. I see and hear all the time from family and others. There is no 1st Amendment right for hate speech. The 1st amendment only protects from the government. Therefore if a larger group shows up to shout you down, you are not losing based on 1st Amendment. I have to say I am flabbergasted and unable to respond. Not a legal scholar but this seems different than what i was taught.

    example here from a recovering attorney and friend.
    https://twitter.com/JulieDiCaro/status/827169507772870657

    1. What a f*ckwit! It sure does if you pay for the auditorium. It’s bad enough to be a Nazi, but to be oblivious to one’s own Naziness, is worse. Or maybe the two just go together.

      Squeeky Fromm
      Girl Reporter

    2. Milo was an invited guest. Someone reserved the room for him to speak from. He jumped through all the hoops. He had EVERY right to speak.

      If you don’t want to hear his speech, then don’t attend.

      A better approach is for you to attend, hear what he has to say, then hold your own event to explain why he’s wrong.

      Why is this so fricking hard for idiots to understand?

    4. By your logic, the protesters had no right to assemble to protest, because Milo is not “the government.” And the right to assemble is to “petition the government.” Which Milo ain’t.

      In fact, what the protesters did was basically commit criminal acts including, but not limited to, rioting, inciting to riot, disturbing the peace, wearing masks to avoid identification by the police, unlawfully assembling, etc. etc, etc.

      Squeeky Fromm
      Girl Reporter

      1. The police stood down and let the violence happen. Anyone injured or harmed in the slightest should sue the city and the university.

    5. No quotes and no links to Milo’s “hate speech” = LLPOF!

      Also, you gotta quote the alleged applicable hate speech law, again, w/a link. Otherwise you’re just another Berkeley homophobic hate monger yourself.

      I’m sure you have no idea how hypocritical is your attack. Progressives apparently have congenital immunity from introspection.

  19. You didn’t mention the people who protested in a non-violent manner, which is a tradition going back to tea in Boston and label them all “liberals” while you’re making speeches at Charles Koch’s Cato Institute? Are you climbing so high that you’re starting the Hillary steppe? Should we all be brought to heel?

    Was it not big enough news to relate that nine Yemeni women and a number of children (along with the first of many future casualties, this one a team member) were killed in a SEAL Team Six event in Trump’s first week in office? What about Yemenis’ speech rights? Are you just worried about our own rights and not those of the international community?

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4181764/Trump-receives-SEAL-Team-6-member-killed-Yemen-raid.html

    Au pied!

  20. There is no liberalism left in the West-in its place is a totalitarian left. Milo is actually a libertarian/ classical liberal, but he’s characterized by the hegemonic cultural marxist left as a radical rightist/fascist.

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