Education

Ben Shapiro Speaks At Berkeley Without Major Incident

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Liam Clancy Reporter
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Ben Shapiro’s speech at the University of California, Berkeley passed without major incident on Thursday night.

Shapiro’s lecture, entitled “Say No To Campus Thuggery,” took aim at identity politics and the culture of censorship that permeates higher education.

Police arrested at least three people prior to Shapiro’s speech. Two of the people arrested were Sarah Roark, 44, and Hannah Benjamin, 20.

Roark was arrested for carrying a banned weapon, while Benjamin was arrested for suspicion of battery on a police officer and carrying a banned weapon, according to the Berkeley Police Department.

Security for the speech was extremely tight, and concrete barriers were erected around the event.

Local stores also closed early in response to the potential of violence.

According to UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof, the security for Shapiro’s event could cost as much as $600,000.

Police took extra precautions because riots erupted in Berkeley back in February when right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos attempted to speak at the campus.

Left-wing rioters caused $100,000 worth of damage at the time, and at least six people were injured.

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