It seems like longer ago , but it was only February when agitators at U.C. Berkeley threw barricades, smashed windows, and set fires before moving on to vandalize the city — all over an appearance by Milo Yiannopoulos that was canceled before it could even start.
Fear not, though: Ben Shapiro will speak at U.C. Berkeley next month in cooperation with the Young America’s Foundation.
.@BenShapiro is headed to UC Berkeley as part of YAF’s Fred Allen Campus Lecture Series. Get ticket updates here —> https://t.co/ZN2GtLKWIL pic.twitter.com/XAfgiSz604
— YAF (@yaf) August 28, 2017
Of course, ever since that little incident over Milo speaking, the school seems to have re-thought its policy when it comes to controversial (i.e., conservative) speakers. In light of police in Berkeley not seeming to do much to contain antifa rioters this weekend, Shapiro noted some of the conditions of his speech.
Re: Berkeley:
1. Berkeley has agreed to host us. They say they support free speech.
2. They required us to pay a $15K security fee. (1/)— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/Oil_Guns_Merica/status/902247687923261440
Free speech is obviously expensive in Berkeley. Unless, of course, you represent Antifa, Palestinian radicals, etc. https://t.co/hbpClhHXyA
— Roger Kimball (@rogerkimball) August 28, 2017
So #Berkeley wants *you* to pay *them* to protect you from what are, presumably, their students?
Sounds like the Mafia. https://t.co/zJaB95IXvz
— Newman (@mt_newman) August 28, 2017
Campuses aren’t shy about implementing rules to limit student behavior; how about a “no masks on campus” policy?
Ah, the good ol' massive security fee for conservatives that liberals rarely have to pay for their speakers https://t.co/u8TTJvKfVI
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 28, 2017
Seriously, just call it the Conservative Speaker Tax and move on.
3. That means the police should damn well do their jobs and stop violence. No excuses.
4. ATTENDEES, DO NOT SHOW UP FOR VIOLENCE. (2/)— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
It really, really is a sincere shame that in 2017 this has to be said over a speaking engagement on a college campus. Showing up to hear someone else’s viewpoint does not require you to cover your face, wear a helmet, and carry a baton, pepper spray, or bottles of urine.
5. If the police refuse to do their jobs, or are told not to be administration or government figures, Congress should act. (3/)
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
6. Those who engage in political violence break the covenant of civilized society. The police must enforce that covenant. (4/)
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
7. The alt-right is repulsive. Antifa is repulsive. We should all stand together against political violence. Join us, Berkeley. (5/)
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
8. To sign up for notification about attending our event, here's the link. https://t.co/CqQb8CjGey (6/)
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
9. I hope to see everyone there for a civilized discussions about issues. If you're there for violence, stay home or be arrested. (/END)
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
Will a $15,000 security fee be enough to entice security to do their jobs and stop agitators from setting the campus on fire (again)? Here’s some recommended reading to help predict the answer.
Where The Hell Are The Police In Berkeley? https://t.co/L9VufFFiyq pic.twitter.com/zortubSvrk
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 28, 2017
* * *
Related:
COWARDS! FIVE DePaul security guards STOP Ben Shapiro from speaking, end up schooled https://t.co/MogazYtdZt
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 16, 2016
Join the conversation as a VIP Member