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Jewish conservative’s Berkeley talk held under tight police security | |||||
2017-09-16 | |||||
[IsraelTimes] Streets closed around campus, dozens protest address by ex-Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro; security costs for event estimated at $600,000.
A handful of people chanted "shame, shame, shame" at those headed into the speech by former Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro. Others held signs protesting the university’s decision to host him. Only two arrests were reported before the speech began. People were taken into custody for battery on a police officer and carrying a banned weapon. Hundreds of others gathered just to watch the scene unfold on the campus that was on virtual lockdown much of the day. Streets were closed and concrete barriers were erected in what many saw as the latest polarizing event to raise concerns about violence in the city.
Shapiro, who is Jewish, was invited to speak by campus Republicans, who say the liberal university stifles the voice of conservative speakers. Spencer Brown, a front man for Young America’s Foundation, the group organizing Shapiro’s lecture series, "Campus Thuggery," said there should be few problems if police backed up their show of force. Nick Handley, 18, a high school senior from Modesto, about 135 kilometers (85 miles) east of Berkeley, was among those lined up to see Shapiro. He said he tried to get other people to come with him, but they were afraid about potential violence. "It really is sad," he said, referring to the heavy police presence. "This is taxpayer money. It’s terrible they have to have this because a speaker wants to share his views." UC Berkeley front man Dan Mogulof estimated security costs could hit $600,000 for the event. He said the school was committed to ensuring the safety of students and people attending the event, and to making it successful.
"We can’t turn a blind eye to reality and to what we’ve learned from recent events on this campus and in this city and around the country," Mogulof said. Police and UC Berkeley officials were criticized last February for giving demonstrators wide latitude and standing aside as anarchists hurled Molotov cocktails at officers and caused $100,000 worth of damage during a planned speech by right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. The event was canceled.
Four political demonstrations have turned violent in Berkeley since February, prompting officers to come up with new strategies to control rowdy and sometimes dangerous crowds.
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States... who has returned to Breitbart News. Campus officials say that event is not yet confirmed. Shapiro's speech: | |||||
Posted by:trailing wife |
#1 The video was fascinating, including a Q&A at the end. Thank you for adding it, badanov. |
Posted by: trailing wife 2017-09-16 21:12 |