Violent ANTIFA Protests Conceal Deadly Threats on University Campuses

Written by Eric Lough

Ben Shapiro, a former editor at Breitbart, current host of the Daily Wire, and heavily demanded speaker, has been permitted to exercise his first amendment rights on college campuses across the country, often to harsh liberal protest. Most recently and notably at University of California Berkley, where I was on scene, and University of Utah.

At UC Berkeley $600,000 was spent on security measures for his speech on September 14th titled “Say No to Campus Thuggery.” The large security expenditures, which included $16,000 from Berkeley College Republicans, is a result of when another former member of Breitbart, Milo Yiannopoulos, attempted to speak last year. Due to violent counter protests organized by radicalized left groups, like the infamous Antifa, Milo was forced to cancel his speech. These riots last February caused $100,000 in damages in Berkeley.

Berkeley is notoriously a mecca for free speech, as well as a birthplace of new political movements. It does not come as surprise in such secularized political atmosphere; Berkeley has found itself again at the forefront of American Politics. After talking with a few attendees of Milo’s event in February, I quickly understood this violence and tension was not being sensationalized like most things in headline news. The tensions were high and the violence real. Most UC Berkeley students seemed uninterested; though in front of Zellerbach Hall, chalk had been used to write various phrases in quote “resistance” to Shapiro being allowed to express his views on campus. “We say NO to your White Supermesicast Bullshit” was displayed in the windows opposite of where Shapiro was speaking that night.

After seeing videos of last February, I had been expecting a large counter protest but when I arrived; UC Berkeley was calm. After a long search and being told multiple things, I found my way to the ticket office at UC Berkeley

The line for tickets had someone from almost every background. Members of groups like the Proud Boys, founded by Gavin McInnes, peacefully discussed politics with California Postgraduates from schools like Santa Clara. Conversations in the daylight were never uncomfortable and ended in smiles, hugs and handshakes. I began to wonder where all the violence I had expected would happen was at Berkeley. Various parties exchanged stories of violence from groups like Antifa that reconfirmed my biased but I did not see it in line for tickets; even after hours of waiting, nothing.

Finally as tickets began to get released by alphabetical order, I was forced to the back of the stand-by line. There only being 1,000 tickets; my chances of getting one became almost none once I was forced to the back of the line. Before the line for stand-by tickets could even begin moving, UC Berkeley had made the decision to stop releasing tickets. I was initially told the decision to withhold tickets was due to security reasons. Although when speaking to other members in line, I was told a number of reasons of why they were told tickets were no longer being released.

One of the Proud Boys had told me “he was not told a reason for why tickets had stopped being released but they were still giving them to press”. I quickly made my way to press booth to see if I could still get a ticket since I had been waiting for more than 4 hours. The ticket booth attendant told me I was not on the list and apologized for not being able to give me a ticket. After a wave a disappointment, my discontent grew and I began filming the ticket attendant telling someone else they were “not on the list” and apologizing. After realizing he was being filmed, the ticket attendant called me over, took a quick glance at the list, then slid two general admissions tickets underneath the window to my surprise.

With only about 15 minutes until the speech started, I had gotten two. I gave my second ticket away and proceeded to run to Zellerbach Hall. Outside, counter protests scream through megaphones as police from all over the surrounding areas eat their dinner- largely consisting of burritos. I had experienced none of violence I had been hearing about leading up to this event; I entered peacefully about 5 minutes late. The auditorium had many empty seats.

Shapiro discussed many hot topic issues. He mentioned how he had previously said many of the same things last year at UC Berkeley but that he had experienced a less profound reaction. He explained the political polarization in America is only to its own determent. Like always, Shapiro was pressured with tough questions from those who disagreed with him, and like always, he answered swiftly and eloquently as par for Shapiro.

When leaving the event, I was aware of the fact I may get attacked based on the events last year at UC Berkeley by anarchist groups like Antifa. But again to my surprise, the only thing I encountered was peace and calm political discourse from everyone that attended the event. The police stood by protecting us from the potential harm of radicalized political groups in the Bay Area. Though people were attacked after 9pm when police were no longer there. Thankfully I left with them. With the police, Antifa members apparently left as well, only to return later in “black bloc” attire and tactic.

After seeing a recent video by Louder with Crowder going undercover to infiltrate Antifa, my illusion of safety was shattered. I did not realize how serious the surrounding danger really was.

In the video, members of Antifa take roll call as well prepare themselves with weapons. I had heard of people getting pepper sprayed but these members armed themselves with knives while boasting about having lethal weapons as well as a car full of illegal firearms including an “assault” rifle and two ak-47s. Antifa members explains their tactics to undercover infiltrator telling him to wear “plain clothes” but have “hard tactics”. The organizer also explains in detail how to acquire and use a Ka-bar knife saying “it’s tiny so you have to really stab them with it”. Their plan also included retreating to the car full of illegal firearms in the event they were overrun.

This video resulted in the arrest of the organizer in Utah; the police thanked Steven Crowder for turning this information over. Although, the media when presented with this story was uninterested.

I naively thought at Berkeley on September, 14^th I was totally safe, that the attacks from Antifa were manageable, and luckily, were handled by police. However; I am not bulletproof. I would never agree with someone who thinks violence is favorable to silence. The threat of violence from Antifa is at an all-time high within the current political climate. The Louder with Crowder video clearly shows members of Antifa planning and arming themselves; not in response to violence but preemptively. The danger surrounding these events will only increase until it is handled. Both sides should be able to protest peacefully. Also, both sides must recognize how violence undermines the American idea of civil public discourse. Violence in place of discourse results in very few winners. As a nation, we must acknowledge the threats to democratic freedom; both foreign and domestic.