Students at the University of California-Berkeley were not happy that Donald Trump supporter Milo Yiannopolous was scheduled to speak at their campus, so they smashed ATM machines and started fires.
According to UC-Berkeley’s Daily Californian, students gathered to protest near the building Yiannopolous was to speak at. Some chanted “shut it down” and carried signs.
Protests at upper sproul still apparently peaceful, even though firecrackers thrown #MiloAtCal pic.twitter.com/lNx7HLJdxP
— Charlotte Kosche (@charlottekosche) February 2, 2017
These protests took an ugly turn, which prompted the campus to cancel the event. Police later escorted Yiannopolous off campus to ensure his safety. Campus officials reportedly told students to clear the area as the protest became a riot and police allegedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas at unruly students, according to eyewitnesses.
A fire starts on Bancroft blocking off traffic. #MiloAtCal pic.twitter.com/S5wjhSlmnx
— Malini Ramaiyer (@malinisramaiyer) February 2, 2017
The police release tear gas and shoot rubber bullets at the crowd. #MiloAtCal pic.twitter.com/Ej6rmpxGTf
— Malini Ramaiyer (@malinisramaiyer) February 2, 2017
Fire and huge waive of smoke #MiloAtCal pic.twitter.com/zckGbe4zsG
— Charlotte Kosche (@charlottekosche) February 2, 2017
One protestor maced a female Trump supporter just after she concluded an interview with a local TV reporter.
My friend was giving an interview when some coward peppersprayed her #Berkeley pic.twitter.com/CDpEqDsw2A
— bibi janey (@janeygak) February 2, 2017
Protestors then marched to downtown Berkeley, where they proceeded to vandalize local businesses.
Protestors destroyed T-Mobile store on Shattuck #MiloatCal pic.twitter.com/pXsSPuLLlx
— Charlotte Kosche (@charlottekosche) February 2, 2017
Windows of Mechanics Bank on Bancroft and Shattuck destroyed #miloatcal pic.twitter.com/aFEswocrlW
— Pressly Pratt (@presslypratt) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ayoonhendricks/status/827020291557580800
https://twitter.com/wongalum/status/827017082759811072
https://twitter.com/sahilchinoy/status/827005465615810560
Some graffitied expletives and communist and anarchist imagery.
Marchers spray paint signs on the walls. #MiloAtCal pic.twitter.com/7ucoaHzcbO
— Malini Ramaiyer (@malinisramaiyer) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/wongalum/status/827006074876157952
Many of the rioters then returned back to campus, where police officers in riot gear awaited their return.
Police in riot gear line up outside California Hall on campus. #MiloatCal (Photo: Dapree Doyle/Senior Staff) pic.twitter.com/d0hHRpsLVh
— The Daily Californian (@dailycal) February 2, 2017
This isn’t the first time students at UC-Berkeley have acted completely insane. Last fall, protestors who were objecting to racism barred white students from a campus entrance.