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. Milo Yiannopoulos makes his living by being a deliberate a**hole about all kinds of political subjects. He has nothing whatsoever of substance to offer any debate and he revels in his faux martyrdom (which is precisely what he wants–the more controversy the better as it keeps this nobody in the spotlight). His not speaking anywhere is no loss for anyone. The error here is on the part of those who pretend that Milo Yiannopoulos does have something to offer and is an actual legitimate speaker who has a point of view worth debating. Students should not oppose anyone speaking on any campus. Nonehtheless, pretending that this now fairly common “event” when this jerk is invited somewhere is merely an innocent “conservative” being victimize by a tyrranical left on university campuses is a farcical and false narrative. The people who invite this schmuck to campuses know what the reaction is going to be. He should never have been invited and plenty of perfectly legitimate and worthwhile conservative voices out there that really do contribute substantively to all kinds of policy and issue debates. Milo Yiannopoulos is not one of those people. The folks who make these engagements do so to elicit the kind of response that occurred at Berkeley. In short, it’s a setup or a “gotcha” move that groups of students at universities fall for and then the media and sadly, folks like the esteemed Prof. Turley then pretend is an actual free speech issue. It isn’t. It’s a dishonest, fraudulent game played by right wing jerks to create a false impression that free speech is being suppressed on campuses. The dishonesty, the fraud and the truly dishonorable activity that is going on is taking place on the right where extremists have to create fake controversy in order to advance the myth that they are somehow victims of an oppressive liberal tyranny. What a crock.

  4. Berkeley is as competitive as Harvard to enter. Elizabeth Warren got a teaching position at Harvard teaching one course and got paid approximately $400,000.00 to teach one course. While she was “Teaching” her one course she was out chasing votes as she was involved in a senatorial campaign against Scott Brown.While she was out politicking I can only guess that a grad student was running her class. I have been told that because of the students that schools like this attract, they can pull this kind of educational charade off and get away with it. Also the cost of going to this educational institution should demand a full time qualified professor to run the class.

    1. One of the reason I left college after two years and followed Frank Zappas eventual advice. If you want an education go the library. That an off campus degree programs but as for Professors? I thought all professors were wha tIB called graduate assistants.

      Here’s another viewpoint. Some pundit said the rioting students do not represent or are a part of the progressive movement. NO? It shaped their very thoughts to the point of how to use a tooth brush and those of their grad student professors for many decades.

      They are the spawn of progressives and it’s quite easy to follow their National Socialist style antics by comparing that branch with the International Branch of Socialism to Progressivism. Triplets joined at the hip with guides like Carville, Lykoff, Soros, Pelosi, Reid and Shume as follow on’s to Wilson, FDR, LBJ’ Clinton and Obams

      How can they NOT represent progressivism in it’s worst forms. The Brown Shirts have to come from somewhere and who is more brainwashed than studnts at Berkeley? Add in the Soros groups from BLM to ACLU to move on etc and the distinction is non existent the similarities are non-coincidental..

      There representatives on this very forum demonstrate the lock step controlled mentality or lack thereof – mentality that is to say.

      .

  5. Police were there and did nothing. Only one arrest. Question: who gave them the order to stand down?

    1. Yes. Who gave that order? What is with these people? One arrest? Jeso. SF: Fly over and flush.

    2. RSA….
      So far, I’ve seen allegations that it was the mayor of Berkeley who gave the order to stand down.
      But I haven’t seen firm evidence that it was the mayor who gave that order.
      It could have been the chief of police, the police commander at the scene, U/ C President Janet Napolitano, or Governor Moonbeam himself who gave the order.
      If they bother to investigate this, there should be some answers as to why the police seemed to only passively observe the riots.

  6. Conservatives pass out constitutions on Michigan campus: 3 students arrested

    Liberals burn UC Berkley, assault people, damage cars, prevent speech: 0 students arrested

    1. Sue the city of Berkeley. Sue the mayor of Berkeley. Sue the university. Why the stand down order for PD to just let it happen? These are the same thugs who destroyed property during the Inauguration in Washington DC. How many were arrested? This kind of domestic terror has to be stopped and cannot be allowed by cops ordered to stand down. This is Barry O’s legacy.

  8. What do these leftists/anarchists have in common with other enemies of western civilization? They do their work outside the rule of law knowing our response has to be within it. They should be charged with domestic terrorism.

    1. They should all be charged with Domestic Terrorism. Absolutely agree. Not one of those black-mask-wearing thugs should get away with the property damage and assault they caused. The Berkeley PD did not do an exemplary job. Hardly. The city should be sued.

      TERRORISM
      noun ter·ror·ism \ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm\
      Legal Definition of terrorism
      1: the unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion
      2: violent and intimidating gang activity

      1. Bob,
        – There are now reports that the FBI is investigating the order from the mayor of Berkeley to the police to “stand down” in response to the rioting.
        So far, I’ve only seen MegaFeed and Reddit report this.

        1. Don’t hold your breath that’s not what can be taken as reliable sources.along with Reason, Politico, Guardian, etc.

          1. The police cannot continue to stand down and allow thugs wearing black masks to destroy private property and assault bystanders without any penalty. This has to be stopped. I hope every business and every person who was injured, sues the city of Berkeley.

      2. Just curious is that a dictionary definition or the one used in the Patriot Act. The second is the one I’ve been looking for and so far failed to find it

        1. Above was a dictionary definition. Below is the Patriot Act definition:

          SEC. 802. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM.

          (a) DOMESTIC TERRORISM DEFINED- Section 2331 of title 18, United States Code, is amended–
          (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(iii), by striking `by assassination or kidnapping’ and inserting `by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping’;
          (2) in paragraph (3), by striking `and’;
          (3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and’; and
          (4) by adding at the end the following:
          `(5) the term `domestic terrorism’ means activities that–
          `(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
          `(B) appear to be intended–
          `(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
          `(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
          `(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
          `(C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.’.
          (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 3077(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
          `(1) `act of terrorism’ means an act of domestic or international terrorism as defined in section 2331;’.

          1. Now add to that the arrest procedural rules should say something like “suspicion of terrorism” and “suspicion of supporting terrorism.”

            There is a third segment to this so I pjshed the two notification buttons.

  10. There is this common term bandied about in America: Millenials. Lately a term has come around which makes more sense: Snowflakes.
    I think in this instance : pussy whimps.

    1. Squeeky,
      When you factor in the inflation rate…OF GOVERNMENT, we are to believe what was Free then is Free today.

    2. People need to take a good, hard look at what’s going on at Berkley and other universities, as it relates to employability.

      Do they really think a Berkley degree is impervious to such a large number of students acting like neurotic maniacs?

      What do they think, realistically, that employers are thinking of Berkley right now? UC Berkley suffered for decades after the sixties, with a reputation for hippies and weeds and out of control Liberalism. Do people really think this kind of behavior will not have an affect on the employability of students, outside of Liberal Meccas like academia, in such a tough economy?

      All of these idiots that took part in the mob are going to be applying for jobs soon.

    3. Squeeky – you don’t burn things or get into a fight if you are wearing a suit and tie.

    2. Bob – thanks, great video. I’m on a good WiFi signal and actually able to watch it. I’ve only read a few of Milo’s pieces, but found him irreverently funny with that dry British humor I enjoy.

      Someone speaking their mind is not a physical threat. Dehumanizing political opponents is what justifies, in their mind, fighting speech with which they disagree with intimidation and violence.

      And it’s startling ironic that they are intimidating and threatening a gay man. Had he been a gay Liberal speaker treated thus there would be marches in the street and Senators saying some version of “Hands up don’t shoot!”

      1. Exactly. Milo calls himself a ‘performer’ and admits that stand-up comedy is part of his ‘act.’ So he is a triple threat to the left — he’s gay, he’s a stand-up comedian, and he’s a conservative. Got to shut him down.

  13. Progressive fascist religious doctrine:
    The most evil possible cartoon, depicting Muslim sacred Muhammad as a piece of dung: blessed and sacred practice of personal “freedom”
    Hate speech toward Judaics: deserving of long prison sentence
    Miannopolis jokes mocking western feminism: death penalty

    The level of hypocrisy is almost beyond measure. Right up there w/pro-lifers being war mongers.

  14. Whippee! The 725th or so thread about poor white nationalist/conervative milo. Wonder if the speech went through if anyone would have been shot like at his other speech?

    1. Don’t forget gay. So where are the LGBTQHTOADGFO defenders of this gay man’s rights to speak freely? Or is their cause only legitimate if this gay man believes in their cause?

    3. Is that a mea culpa for the shooting?

      Sorry to hear someone held a gun to your head and forced you to read this blog…NOT.

      You really hate it when people with whom you have political disagreement practice free speech, huh?

      1. just a shame that only white nationalists like milo get support on this blog. one thing about conservatives, they always pick and choose favorites…..,.like the trumptator arresting journalists in DC

        And our current similarities to 1932 fascist nazi germany are scary…….. unless, or course, one is a fascist nazi?

        1. On what information do you call Milo a “white nationalist”? If you knew that he had a black boyfriend would that label still apply?

        2. Define “white nationalist” and explain, specifically, why you assign that label to Milo.

        3. You got a problem with Milo? What, are you some kind of homophobe? Are you a xenophobe? I’ll be you are a ‘white supremacist’ aren’t you? Tell us all, right here, what’s the difference?

  15. Cars set upon, drivers attacked. Milo speech attendees pepper-sprayed and assaulted. One man beaten unconscious.

    No. Arrests.
    Zero.

    1. Not true. There were three arrests. None of the arrestees were students. They were professional anarchists who showed up with fireworks, plywood shields and iron pipes. One hundred of them wearing all black clothing and ski masks. I don’t know why more of them weren’t arrested, I think the campus cops weren’t prepared. They were expecting chanting students, not older, violent professional anarchists.

      1. Let’s see the pictures. With all those smartphones there must be some

  16. Maybe a lawyer here can clarify for me, but don’t the words “conspiracy” and “premeditation” mean anything when there’s violence in California?

    3. KCFleming – words have different meanings in California where they are building a train to nowhere.

    4. KC California only has about an eight word vocabulary and ends all their sentences with a question mark.

  17. “What did the hard Left think was going to happen?”

    This was planned, not unexpected.
    They get to claim false flag and ‘agitators’ and ‘not UCBerkely students’, but this was exactly what the Berkeley admin and students intended.

    1. You know what bugs the crap out of me is listening to Fox News give the left viewpoint air time to go on and on and on about their view and they don’t SHUT THEM UP – you know, like the rioters shutting down free speech. WTF is the argument for the Berkely PD standing down while rioters destroy private property and assault people while wearing black ISIS-like masks and not one of them is arrested? WTF is wrong with that picture?

  18. According to CNN, no arrests were made.

    Think about how far leftism got at Berkeley.
    They can beat people and spray them with mace right in front of the cops and set fire to buildings, and nothing will happen to them.

    Let that sink in.
    Their violence is free of consequences, and therefore sanctioned by both the cops and the Berkeley administration.

    1. KC – my father vehemently refused to allow me to apply to Berkley. All those years ago, its reputation was mud among employers. He said my degree would be worthless for any other profession besides begging and basket weaving.

      2. Karen, You have a wise old man, and the apple fell right next to the tree.

          1. Don’t go under the apple tree….
            With anyone else but me!
            Anyone else but me!
            Oh…

        1. anon – they only studied the Silicon Valley schools. And you have to take computer science or business.

          1. Since Berkeley is as competitive as Harvard for in state applicants, that degree is valuable in every profession. Get informed, please.

              1. anon,
                Then I would recommend you get non-college counseling. Perhaps something involving a nice white jacket that buckles in the back.

              1. http://trueprep.co/2015/03/20/4-assumptions-about-uc-berkeley/

                Sounds like just the thing if you want to pursue a career in academia:

                “The hippie spirit is certainly still alive and well at Berkeley. In recent years, students at Berkeley have spearheaded movements to “occupy” Sproul Hall in protest of affirmative action policies, to “occupy” Doe Library in protest of tuition hikes and to “occupy” the syllabi of humanities classes in protest of social theory’s reliance on the “white male canon.” For the hippiest of the hippies, Berkeley offers a major called “Peace and Conflict Studies”, which could more aptly be named “why Republicans, and also more generally America, are the worst”. If you are looking to have serious discussions about whether “death to America” would be a good thing or whether “George W. Bush is worse than Hitler”, PACS is probably the place for you!”

              1. My husband’s uncle taught Physics there. They are well known for their sciences. It has many many good departments and professional schools. To say that one could not get a good job with a degree from Berkeley is a fallacy.

                2. Close to the best math graduate department in the country.

                  BTW, their graduates do get jobs.

            4. Berkeley has struggled with a reputation for hippies and weed for decades. You are a college counselor and unaware? The degree is useful in industries that do not care about this. My father was in the military, and later a corporate executive. I suppose one would be eminently employable at a university with a Berkeley degree, which I suppose is how we’ve arrived at the nationwide assaults on free speech across college campuses.

          2. I’m thinking of going back to get a Ph.D. in social welfare and justice at Berkeley. I wanted to specialize in Leftism, but, surprisingly, Berkeley doesn’t offer a major in this specific area, although their recruitment specialists have assured me that Berkeley manages to work Leftism into every program they offer, including even biology or chemistry.

            1. Yes but what are you going to be when you grow and have to work for a living?

        1. They made the choice to lie in the Berkeley Bed they get tarred with the Berkeley Brush. Righ tnow the only California School of higher education I would look at for hireable graduates is Cal Poly.and then that’s only if they could pass an English, History, and Civics exam and show some decent Philosophy courses.

  19. Honestly, why is everyone so afraid of Milo? I’ve only read a couple of his articles, including that infamous one how birth control makes women fat and ugly. I found him hilarious. He clearly enjoys challenging the status quo, just like many satirical writers. If you can’t laugh along, then don’t attend.

    Honestly, the KKK gets police protection and the backing of the ACLU when they want to engage in a march, and they’re horrible. Why can’t an anti-establishmentarian enjoy the same protections?

    1. Because the KKK are no threat to anyone. They’re aesthetically unappealing. The spectre of them is useful when you want to raise money from your marks. Yiannopolous is deft and challenging, which is why partisan Democrats find it necessary to attempt to taint him with epithets even they don’t believe.

  20. Paul, I must confess to taking considerable responsibility for these recent events on the UC-Berkeley campus. But I’m only doing my job.

    As I had previously announced here, on this blog: https://jonathanturley.org/2017/02/02/protesters-torch-free-speech-at-berkeley-in-latest-example-of-mob-rule-on-americas-college-campuses/comment-page-2/#comment-1584940

    “I am pleased to announce that I have been selected by the George Soros Foundation to lead the effort on mobilizing students on college campuses throughout the nation to protest the presidency of Donald J. Trump. I have been given a three-year grant and a generous budget to persuade colleges and universities to give students full-time credits for protest activities that they conduct under my supervision. My unofficial marching orders are to do whatever is necessary to help create greater social strife and dissension. If I’m successful in getting students to participate in defacing public and private property and engaging in occasional violent outbursts that cause the destruction of said properties, I will receive a 25% bonus if, in the judgment of the George Soros Foundation Board, my efforts led in large part to those results. I will also receive an extension of my contract if I continue to produce strife and destruction. Wish me luck!”

    Though you may not agree with what I do, you must admit that I’m good at my job.

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