As conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro’s visit to Berkeley unfolded, videos and pictures flooded social media documenting the campus’s unprecedented preparations to ensure free speech would take place. The hashtag #BenAtBerkeley trended on Twitter and news coverage of the event trended on Facebook as people took to social media to weigh in on Shapiro’s appearance.
Berkeley News was on the scene to hear from students attending the talk as well as student protesters. Scroll down to read, see and hear what people were saying about the event on and off campus and click here to read our related coverage of the event , which moved forward without disruption.
About an hour before the event, peaceful protests began at Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way.
Many protesters and attendees were not affiliated with campus. Some Berkeley students, meanwhile, took advantage of unusual study settings.
A perimeter was established around Zellerbach, and those attending the event passed through security checkpoints.
A long line formed for last-minute tickets.
Inside the event, an estimated 600 to 700 people listened to Shapiro speak for about 25 minutes, and then lined up to ask him questions for more than an hour. Calm prevailed inside the venue.
Outside, a group of students staged a sit in in the MLK Student Union.
Meanwhile, protesters on the street chanted loudly, but peacefully.
Outside the event, debates between protesters and supporters of Shapiro grew heated, but did not turn violent.
Some were happy to see a visible police presence, but others decried the show of force and expense required for the event.
Shapiro’s talk ended without incident, and as protest outside wound down, police dispersed the crowds.