President Trump Responds to Anti-Free Speech Rioters in California

On Wednesday night, far-left protesters again turned violent on the campus of UC-Berkeley, forcing conservative speaker Milo Yiannopoulos to cancel a planned speech.

Upon learning of his scheduled appearance, approximately 1,500 liberals gathered outside the venue. According to Fox News, “a small group dressed in black and in hooded sweatshirts used metal barricades to break windows, threw smoke bombs and flares, used a diesel generator to start a large bonfire outside the building.”

For his safety, organizers made the decision to cancel the event just two hours before its scheduled start, forcing Yiannopoulos to flee the campus. Unfortunately, the far-left rioters continued their path of destruction on the campus, prompting President Donald J. Trump to call out the rioters, threatening to cut off the school’s federal funding if order was not restored:

This is exactly the right response. Why should taxpayers fund violent hooligans who destroy property, attack innocent people, and try to silence the First Amendment?

Here are some images of the destruction:

berkeley protest

berkeley protest

berkeley protest

berkeley protest

berkeley protest

In addition, a statement was released by the event organizers condemning the radical anti-free speech protests:

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence and unlawful behavior that was on display, and deeply regret that those tactics will now overshadow the efforts to engage in legitimate and lawful protest against the performer’s presence and perspectives.

During an interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, Yiannopoulos, who is a supporter of President Trump, blasted the violent leftists: “I think tonight is odious and a horrible spectacle and very humiliating for American higher education, but I would like to think that it will have a silver lining.” In a post on his Facebook page, Milo stressed that “the Left is absolutely terrified of free speech and will do literally anything to shut it down. ”

UC-Berkeley, which was the original epicenter of the free speech movement during the Vietnam War, has now become the exact opposite: the center of anti-free speech in America.

Clearly, the left doesn’t support free speech, as they turned violent when a conservative dared to show up and speak on a college campus. Rather than engage in a civil discussion, these liberals prevented the event from even occurring, and caused physical damage and threatened public safety.

Do you support President Trump’s suggestion that liberal colleges like UC-Berkeley should have their funding cut if its students continue to shut down free speech in such a violent fashion? Share your thoughts below! 

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