(UnitedVoice.com) – In recent years, conservative figures have had a difficult time when they visit college and university campuses around the country. Republicans have accused schools of censoring voices on the Right and pushing a liberal agenda. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has made it his mission to reshape higher education in an attempt to stop this alleged proliferation of the Left’s ideology in public universities and colleges.
California campuses have been particularly unfriendly to Conservatives. That was demonstrated recently when Charlie Kirk hosted an event.
UC Davis Violence
On March 14, Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, held an event at the University of California, Davis. Outside of the event, protesters, who were mostly clad in black, tried to block people from entering the University Credit Union Center. They also clashed with police officers who were on the scene. One of those officers suffered an injury when someone jumped on him from behind.
According to KCRA 3, the protesters used spray paint on the university’s “egghead” statues. The messages left on the iconic statues were reportedly derogatory messages about the chancellor. Someone even sprayed an Antifa symbol on one of them.
At least 10 glass panels in doors were smashed out. Police arrested two people who were allegedly involved in the destructive events. One of the people was charged with resisting arrest, vandalism, and threats to a police officer. The other person arrested was charged with resisting arrest and misdemeanor vandalism. They were taken to Yolo County Jail. Ultimately, the violent protesters were unsuccessful in their attempts to stop Kirk from speaking.
UC Davis’ Media Relations department released a statement after the event stating that Kirk’s event was able to go on as planned. About 500 people were in attendance to hear Kirk speak, the university revealed. The statement also said the school’s security had planned for his appearance for weeks.
The university went on to say it is a public institution that values the First Amendment and that the school “must uphold the right to free speech.”
Response to Violence
Fox News reported Kirk responded to the protests during the event. He called the participants outside the building “terrorists” and gave credit to security for handling the situation. He went on to say that he nor the attendees of his speech would “put up with force of trying to shut down people you don’t like.”
He had a message for the protesters, “Tonight is a statement to them that they’re the losers.”
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