Protests Erupt at Turning Point USA Event at UC Berkeley
On November 10, 2025, a significant number of left-wing protesters gathered outside a sold-out Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event at the University of California, Berkeley. This led to confrontations with police and escalating chaos, resulting in injuries and at least four arrests. Reports vary, with some local outlets indicating that the total number of arrests may be closer to seven.
The event commemorated late TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated in September. Notable speakers included actor Rob Schneider and Christian author Frank Turek. The UC Berkeley chapter of TPUSA hosted the event, which attracted a full house in Wheeler Auditorium.
Hours before the event started, masked demonstrators, brandishing Antifa flags, began to assemble. They shouted slogans and waved signs against fascism and right-wing ideologies. Many protesters donned keffiyehs, a scarf often associated with Palestinian solidarity and anti-Israel sentiment.
As tensions heightened, clashes erupted between demonstrators, conservative attendees, and campus police. Videos circulating on social media captured intense exchanges, including physical confrontations. One striking image showed a man in a red “FREEDOM” shirt with blood visibly streaming down his face after an altercation.
While UC Berkeley officials stated they had collaborated with law enforcement to ensure security for the event, they reiterated that opposing students maintain the right to protest peacefully.
“We witnessed similar turmoil in Berkeley back in 2017. Concerns about campus and local security are valid, particularly regarding the apparent unchecked actions of Antifa in California,” noted Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights within the Justice Department.
Security was visibly tight around the campus with controlled access points, closed buildings, and police both inside and outside the auditorium. Despite the unrest, the event continued without major disruptions.
This visit was the final stop on TPUSA’s “Campus Freedom Tour,” which has sparked both support and controversy nationwide. Founded by Kirk in 2012, the organization positions itself as a champion for free speech on college campuses.
Footage and images of the chaotic scene rapidly circulated online, drawing a mixed response. Conservative commentators criticized the violence as “left-wing intimidation,” whereas some student activists defended the protests as necessary opposition to perceived extremist views.
Critics of TPUSA argue that the organization espouses a narrow vision of America, promoting a Christian nation perspective and viewing feminism as detrimental. They also highlight Kirk’s controversial remarks on civil rights that many labeled as oppressive and sexist.
By Tuesday morning, authorities were looking into the incidents, focusing on property damage and injuries. Fortunately, no severe hospitalizations were reported.
