Governor Newsom Remains Silent Following Violent Protest at UC Berkeley Event

Governor Newsom Remains Silent Following Violent Protest at UC Berkeley Event

In the aftermath of a chaotic protest at a Turning Point USA event in Berkeley, California, Governor Gavin Newsom has not publicly commented. This violence erupted just two days ago, raising questions about the state’s leadership response.

The incident occurred on Monday night at UC Berkeley during a Turning Point event that featured actor Rob Schneider and Frank Turek, a prominent Christian figure associated with the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk. A mob of left-wing agitators descended upon Zellerbach Hall, where the event was being held as part of the national “This is the Turning Point” tour.

According to reports from local news outlet The Daily Californian, four students were arrested on charges of felony vandalism. The suspects, females aged between 20 and 22, had their names omitted from public records. Additionally, the UC Berkeley Police Department confirmed the arrest of two other individuals during the protest.

Christopher Joseph Benton, a 48-year-old who does not attend the university, was taken into custody for several misdemeanors, including trespassing and resisting arrest. Jay Eduardo Maytorena, 22, identified as a current or former student, faced similar charges.

Notably, several altercations from the event gained widespread attention on social media. One viral video depicted a man attacking a Turning Point USA supporter, resulting in the assailant’s arrest for violent crimes. Further investigations revealed that the assault involved an attempted robbery of a necklace, escalating the tensions on campus.

The police statement detailed the confrontation, stating that one man, 25-year-old Jihad Dphrepaulezz from Oakland, allegedly stole the victim’s necklace amidst the chaos.

Absence of comments from Governor Newsom, who is currently in Brazil attending the COP 30 climate conference, has sparked criticism. The governor has not addressed the recent disruption, which conservatives have characterized as an attack on free speech rights.

Fox News Digital sought a response from Newsom’s office but did not receive an immediate reply. This lack of communication adds to the controversy given Newsom’s prior engagement with Kirk, where they discussed the implications of free speech in educational settings.

Andrew Kolvet of Turning Point USA tweeted appreciation for the attention surrounding the incident, emphasizing that attendees of peaceful events should never be subjected to harassment. He called for action against those who perpetrated the violence, particularly referencing members of Antifa.

In response to the unrest, the Department of Justice announced an investigation into the protest. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that the mob assault against attendees exercising their First Amendment rights is intolerable.

The DOJ has formally requested that UC Berkeley preserve all documentation related to security and event preparations, indicating a serious commitment to addressing the matter.

In a strong stance, UC Berkeley condemned the violence, asserting its commitment to upholding free speech principles. The university emphasized its intention to fully cooperate with federal inquiries, including working with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify those responsible for instigating the unrest.

UC Berkeley’s public statement stated, “The University is conducting a full investigation and intends to fully cooperate with and assist any federal investigations to identify the outside agitators responsible for attempting to disrupt last night’s TPUSA event. We will take all appropriate steps to safeguard the right of every member of our community to speak and assemble freely.”

As events continue to unfold, the implications of this incident could resonate far beyond UC Berkeley, leaving many to ponder the boundaries of free speech and the responsibilities of public officials in times of unrest.

This report draws on contributions from Peter D’Abrosca and Stephen Sorace at Fox News Digital.