Riots at Berkeley

Very glad that UCB has dropped way down D18’s list of colleges.

I see that even CC isn’t immune from the loonies crawling out the woodwork with their “Berkeley snowflake” nonsense. Where’s the proof that any of the violence was caused by students??

Anyone with a student there?
Although UCB students are known for liberalism this seems suspiciously like paid outside agitators.
Most students smart enough to attend Berkeley are surely aware that this violent behavior may have consequences and they have too much to lose by participating.
Just a thought as a parent of some very smart teenagers and young adults–one of whom attended Cal a few years back.

“this seems suspiciously like paid outside agitators”

Is this even proven to be a thing? Factually, I mean. No, it hasn’t. But there you go…

This not new for UCB so parents of potential students should take notes.

I’m all for Black Bloc, and I’m quite sure those protesters who use it as a tactic are perfectly prepared to be arrested if they get caught.

@marvin100 I don’t think anyone was suggesting that the wearing of masks in and of itself poses a problem, but rather were commenting on the violent and destructive behavior that persons wearing those masks are engaging in. Are you saying you think it’s okay to destroy property, throw commercial grade fireworks at police officers (what I heard on NBC this morning), start fires, etc?

University is a place for free exchange of ideas so long as those ideas are not in violation of laws and rules.

Seriously? How about a rational discussion without the name-calling and snarky comments? Vet your news wherever you want to read it, and think before you post. It’s something I tell my 3rd graders when we talk about online behavior. Parents have sons and daughters at Berkeley and they are worried and concerned.

Protests are a part of America and riots can often result when groups decide to glom onto a movement. It’s not right and it doesn’t help the cause (whatever that may be) but to throw accusations and innuendos out there serves absolutely no purpose but to incite the other side.

I get that people are angry about what’s happening to our country, but I’d urge everyone to keep it in check on these boards and try to help not hurt.

Freedom of speech is no longer allowed on US campuses. That is truly sad and will have consequences for the future generations.

Last fall at Berkeley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R6dzZdceT4 Great school.

It seems to me that many have given up on the art of persuasion and chosen instead to use intimidation. Freedom of speech is being allowed to protest outside the speakers venue. Intimidation is blocking others from hearing the speech or attempting to interrupt the speaker (thereby denying their rights). It is in it’s most extreme form fomenting violence for the purpose of intimidating others. Lawful protesting is a free speech right in this country. Once you break the law or begin to inhibit the same rights for others you have gone too far.

The president will cut off public funds to Cal. I do think it is important to know if it were students inciting the violence.

Berkeley has always been known for enthusiastic protesting. It’s even part of the AP US History curriculum.

Based on all the reports I can find, at this point in time, I can not tell whether students were violent. If anyone has credible info on violence by students, could you please post links? Thank you.

So ironic that protesters/ rioters are calling Milo a fascist.

Milo was permantly kicked off Twitter for his hate speech and encouraging bullying and harassment of blacks, Jews and women. You have to be pretty despicable to be kicked off Twitter.

I feel very strongly about supporting all peaceful protest at this point in time, even if I disagree with the protesters. My hope is that social censure silences ugly ideas. However, I understand it is possible to subvert a peaceful protest, both by those who support the protest goals and by those who don’t.

We probably need to make up our minds how to respond to reporting, and non_reporting, of these events going forward.

It sounds like a peaceful protest was infiltrated by an outside group and it turned violent. Until there is confirmation that students were involved in the violence, I will reserve judgment.

The perpetrators of the violence are a different matter. They engaged in indiscriminate assault of people and property and should be held accountable.

At so many of the protests around the country in the last couple of years, there have been masked “people” who have taken peaceful protests and turned them violent. These people should be arrested and investigation by Homeland Security and the local police on this organization.

Students have every right to protest a speaker. That speaker, however, has the right to speak. That’s what we do here. I also firmly believe that well-reasoned, articulate debates should follow the speakers. We need to evolve not dissolve further.

Speakers, on the other hand, who incite hate, plant seeds of violence, etc, should be shut down on moral and ethical grounds both in high schools and college campuses.