Around 100 protesters smashed windows, hurled eggs, and used pepper spray while clashing with police on Tuesday in an attempt to stop Charlie Kirk from speaking at the University of California, Davis. At least two protesters were taken into custody. A statement from UC Davis downplayed the violence, saying that the event went on “as planned” but “occurred with minor incidents.”
“One officer sustained an injury when he was jumped on from behind and pushed to the ground, and two people were arrested and taken to Yolo County Jail for allegedly painting graffiti on an exterior wall,” the university wrote in a press release. Both protesters were charged with vandalism and resisting arrest, and one was also charged with threatening an officer.
“Protesters approached the northeast entrance and broke 10 glass panes in the doors but did not gain access to the building and left the area. No arrests were made related to the breaking of the glass.”
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A video of the protesters shattering the windows was shared by Kirk on Twitter, amassing more than 3 million views. Kirk had been invited to campus by the university’s Turning Point USA chapter.
“Violent leftwing agitators just smashed through windows outside of the event venue here at UC Davis… Pray for peace and safety for all involved.”
NEW VIDEO: Violent leftwing agitators just smashed through windows outside of the event venue here at UC Davis. Reports are that some of this group made their way into the building before police successfully removed them. Pray for peace and safety for all involved. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IbZd2v9pRn
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 15, 2023
‘Not a peaceful protest at all,’ Twitter CEO Elon Musk said in response to Kirk.
The protesters wore masks and held umbrellas to conceal their identities. Many of them were dressed in all-black clothing. They held up signs bearing messages such as “PROTECT TRANS KIDS” and “I LOVE ABORTIONS.”
Many protesters were reportedly spurred to action based on an op-ed published by the Sacramento Bee, which called for the event’s cancelation. The editorial falsely accused Kirk of advocating for the “lynching” of trans people and was later forced to issue a retraction. In a now-deleted tweet, the Bee wrote,
“Charlie Kirk has called for the lynching of trans people, a comment that should warrant the cancelation of his speaking engagement at UC Davis.”
“Sacbee reporter has deleted previous tweet parroting the ‘lynching trans’ lie,” Kirk later wrote on Twitter. “I hope no one was hurt over a complete fabrication of something I NEVER said but was nevertheless originally spread by a trans activist and liar.”
Sacbee reporter has deleted previous tweet parroting the “lynching trans” lie. I hope no one was hurt over a complete fabrication of something I NEVER said but was nevertheless originally spread by a trans activist and liar @ErinInTheMorn https://t.co/NO0icuC2xj
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 15, 2023
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During the event, Kirk addressed the violence and said to the crowd,
“I don’t know if you saw, but they broke some windows, the terrorists did outside, people had things thrown at them… We’re not going to put up with force of trying to shut down people you don’t like.”
Kirk then added,
“Tonight is a statement to them that they’re the losers.”
In their press release, UC Davis wrote that “we must uphold the right to free speech, as guaranteed under the First Amendment,” but still disavowed their students with TPUSA, accusing them in an earlier statement of promoting violence.
“UC Davis stands with our transgender and non-binary Aggies in opposition to this hateful and divisive messaging,” they wrote.
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