A group of masked “protestors” attacked members of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA at UC Davis as they were setting up for a “Prove Me Wrong” event on Thursday. Approximately 30 individuals descended on the group, carrying a banner that read “ACAB,” an acronym that stands for “All Cops Are B**tards.” They proceeded to dismantle the students’ tent, destroy camera equipment, and reportedly assaulted a middle-aged woman who attempted to intervene.
The event, which ultimately went forward, took place at the Memorial Union Quad on the UC Davis campus and featured former police officer and YouTuber Brandon Tatum.
Tatum later posted a video of the attack on X with the caption, “This is what mostly peaceful looks like.”
In a post on X, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk reported that the violent protestors “stole the canopy, ripped down banners, smashed foam boards, and even tried to steal the iPad and laptop of a @tpusastudents field rep.”
According to Kirk, “TPUSA students were shoved and had objects thrown at them—while police did nothing. Only after the damage was done did law enforcement finally form a perimeter. This is the reality of free speech on campus.”
In the second clip below, the protestors are heard chanting, “Antifascista! A! Anti!”
Fox News reported:
One demonstrator struck someone who approached the table with a cell phone, the school said. Other demonstrators pulled down the tent and engaged in shoving with those staffing the tent and others nearby. The protesters left the area before returning minutes later and trying to remove a tent.
The university defended the police in a statement to Fox which read in part:
The UC Davis Police Department took one report of an assault. No one requested medical aid. The event with the guest speaker took place on schedule and was completed without further incident. The university protected the free speech rights of the campus community throughout the event.
Chancellor Gary S. May issued a statement the following day in which he strongly denounced the violence that had occurred, calling it “appalling and completely unacceptable.” He promised that “all steps will be taken to hold those who were responsible accountable for their actions.”
He said he had initiated:
[A] full independent review of the incident. If it is determined that any UC Davis students or employees were involved in this vicious attack, they will face disciplinary action in accordance with university disciplinary policies. Individuals may also be held criminally responsible through the justice system.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig also released a statement on Friday in which he expressed his firm commitment “to investigate this matter and bring all the offenders to justice.”
“There are clear indications from the evidence, including video footage of the crime, that this was a coordinated effort, which makes it a felony under California law. Conviction of such a crime carries up to three years imprisonment,” the statement said.
It would be nice to believe these officials are serious, but frankly, I’m skeptical and I wonder how quickly this incident gets swept under the rug.
In remarks to Fox News about the incident, Kirk called UC at Davis the “most militant school in the country, with the largest Antifa presence.”
“When I spoke there in March of 2023,” he said, “Antifa foot soldiers vandalized the school, smashed windows and fought the police. What we have is a pattern, with no signs of improvement.”
Responding to one of Kirk’s posts about this latest episode, Elon Musk wrote: “The left is the party of violence & hate.”
He’s right of course. Violence and hate have become their brand.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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