On Thursday, September 14, conservative Ben Shapiro spoke at University of California Berkeley’s (UCB) Zellerbach Hall at the invitation of the Berkeley College Republicans and Young America’s Foundation (YAF), both student organizations at the university. Shapiro is a columnist, author, radio talk show host, lawyer, and former editor for Breitbart News. In the wake of clashes between anti-fascist political groups and “alt right” protesters in Berkeley, tensions surrounding the speech were high.
UCB, in conjunction with the Berkeley Police Department (BPD), took extra precautions to ensure peace in Berkeley on Thursday night and the safety of those attending the speech.
UCB spent roughly six hundred thousand dollars on security for the event. A total of nine people were arrested, four of whom were carrying banned weapons, and while there were reports of aggression, no violent acts were documented.
In his speech, Shapiro spoke about the importance of having open discussions between people of varying political beliefs. Shapiro also criticized and insulted members of the political left. He held a question and answer session following his speech. “Disagreement makes the country better,” Shapiro repeated throughout the event.
Ava Remler, a Berkeley High School (BHS) junior, attended his speech. “The main points he made were about problems with leftism and also the right, but basically identity politics, the idea that you’re using personal characteristics either in favor or against someone politically,” Remler said. Remler believed the event went very well. “I was worried about violence and people disrupting it, but that wasn’t a problem. And I thought his speech itself was really good in communicating the message that there’s problems with identity politics today,” Remler said.
Another point of controversy in Berkeley, the upcoming “Free Speech Week,” is a four day event on UCB’s campus beginning September 24.
Speakers such as Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist, and Ann Coulter, a political commentator were invited. The event was organized by Milo Yiannopoulos, a political commentator, journalist and author associated politically with the alt-right. His speech was cancelled at UCB in February after violent protesters rioted outside of the campus.
“Because Berkeley is such a hotbed of free speech, it’s going to become an issue of whether Berkeley is [going to] be a place that accepts other opinions besides their own. [Shapiro and Yiannopoulos] are trying to start a debate over being able to speak more freely,” said Makenna Fetzer, a UCB sophomore.
Others believe that the aim of these speakers is only to fuel controversy, not discuss issues.
“Free speech starts being hate speech when it is actively encouraging the terrorizing of people,” said Xochitl Johnson, an activist, who spent the day before Shapiro’s speech in front of UCB’s Sproul Plaza, talking with students and passing out flyers.
Johnson said, “Free speech was intended for marginalized communities, to give voice to people who didn’t have voice, and these people coming to speak at these campuses represent the agenda and voice of the Trump-Pence regime, they have speech more than anyone else.”
Remler stated their belief that all free speech should be allowed, with an except ion for speech that encourages others to commit acts of violence.
In an email sent to the UCB community by UCB Executive Vice Chancellor Paul Alivisatos, he explained that the university’s “commitment to the principles of community mandates that all students, faculty and staff be able to be present on campus engaging in regular academic activities without fear.”
UCB is offering support and counseling services for students and staff. “We are deeply concerned about the impact some speakers may have on individuals’ sense of safety and belonging,” Alivisatos wrote, “No one should be made to feel threatened or harassed simply because of who they are or for what they believe.”