Quick Read
- Turning Point USA held its final campus event at UC Berkeley, two months after founder Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting.
- Hundreds protested outside Zellerbach Hall, with clashes leading to several arrests and heavy police presence.
- Speakers included comedian Rob Schneider and author Frank Turek; inside, the event was sold out.
- The protests reflected deep campus divisions, echoing Berkeley’s history of activism and free speech.
- The TPUSA campus chapter has grown rapidly since Kirk’s death, intensifying campus polarization.
Campus Tensions Flare as Turning Point USA Holds Final Event in Berkeley
On a brisk November evening in 2025, the University of California, Berkeley—a campus long known as the crucible of American free speech movements—once again became the epicenter of heated political discourse. The occasion: Turning Point USA’s final stop on its “American Comeback” memorial tour for founder Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot just two months earlier. The event, held inside Zellerbach Hall, was both a tribute and a lightning rod, drawing hundreds of protestors and a heavy law enforcement presence.
Protesters Mobilize Against Conservative Speakers
From early afternoon, waves of demonstrators gathered outside the hall, many brandishing signs reading “Fascists out of Berkeley” and “No safe space for fascist scum.” Palestinian flags mingled with anti-Trump placards, reflecting a convergence of causes and frustrations. Chants of “We won the war, why are there still Nazis?” and “CHP go home!” echoed across the plaza, referencing the California Highway Patrol officers standing guard. The tension was palpable, and the crowd’s numbers swelled as the evening progressed.
“There was a lot of tension. People were worried,” said Sophie Mason, a freshman who joined the protest after class. Mason described the event as “the talk of the town,” with anxiety running high among students and staff alike. The specter of violence loomed over the demonstration, especially after a car drove past, broadcasting what sounded like gunshots. Panic rippled through the crowd, sending dozens fleeing for cover behind concrete pillars. Mayte, a visitor and daughter of immigrants, summed up the mood: “You can’t tell if it’s fireworks or gunshots. It’s scary.”
Law Enforcement and Arrests Amid Clashes
With memories of previous campus unrest still fresh—like the cancelled appearances of Milo Yiannopoulos and Ann Coulter in 2017—Berkeley officials prepared for the worst. Helicopters circled overhead, and dozens of officers, some equipped with body cameras, blocked entrances to ensure the event inside proceeded as planned. The police presence was unprecedented, according to third-year student Tyara Gomez, who noted, “This one had far more officers than usual.”
Despite efforts to maintain order, violent altercations broke out. The Daily Californian reported at least three arrests during the evening, including two following a fistfight between a protestor and a man in a red Turning Point shirt. Earlier in the day, four students were detained for alleged vandalism after attempting to hang a giant cardboard bug on a campus gate. While the protest remained largely peaceful, moments of chaos underscored the volatility of the current political climate.
Inside the Event: Memorializing Charlie Kirk and Conservative Causes
Inside Zellerbach Hall, the mood contrasted sharply with the turmoil outside. The event, organized by the campus’s rapidly growing TPUSA chapter, was sold out. Attendees entered under the watchful eyes of police, some sporting red MAGA hats and carrying posters of Charlie Kirk. Speakers included comedian Rob Schneider, actor-turned-conservative activist, and Christian author Frank Turek. Schneider and fellow speaker Jo-Bob addressed the protests directly, condemning the violence and urging dialogue.
The memorial tour, initiated by Kirk before his death at Utah Valley University, had taken on new significance in the wake of his assassination. Conservative figures like Senator JD Vance used the platform to highlight the impact Kirk’s loss has had on American politics. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump seized on the tragedy to rally supporters, casting blame on Democratic opponents and warning of an “enemy within”—a move described by some scholars as authoritarian and anti-democratic (The Guardian).
Berkeley’s Legacy of Activism Meets New Political Realities
UC Berkeley’s reputation as a bastion of progressive activism was both challenged and reaffirmed by the evening’s events. Some students expressed surprise that the university would host a group as controversial as Turning Point USA. Others, like Mason, were encouraged by the turnout, viewing it as a sign of campus solidarity in the face of divisive rhetoric.
The event, meant to honor Kirk’s legacy and expand the conservative movement on campus, highlighted the deep polarization gripping American universities. The Berkeley TPUSA chapter has more than doubled in size since Kirk’s death, suggesting that the backlash may have fueled its growth rather than stifled it. “It’s sad what’s happening. I’m the daughter of immigrants,” said Mayte, reflecting on the broader implications for marginalized communities.
Looking Forward: Political Engagement and Campus Safety
As attendees left Zellerbach Hall, jeers and chants followed them into the night. The heavy police presence, arrests, and moments of fear served as a reminder of the challenges facing universities in 2025: how to balance free speech with campus safety, and how to foster genuine dialogue in an era of heightened ideological conflict.
The Berkeley event was not just about Charlie Kirk, nor just about Turning Point USA. It was about the ongoing struggle over who gets to shape the narrative in America’s public spaces—and at what cost. The fact that the tour continued after Kirk’s assassination, and that protests were both expected and normalized, speaks volumes about the resilience and volatility of political engagement today (KRON4).
Assessment: The Berkeley protest around Turning Point USA’s memorial for Charlie Kirk encapsulates a pivotal moment in American campus politics. It demonstrates that while polarization and conflict remain deeply rooted, the willingness of students and citizens to engage—whether in protest or attendance—signals that the debate over free speech and ideological identity is far from settled. The event’s heavy security, public anxieties, and rapid growth of conservative organizing suggest that universities will continue to be battlegrounds for America’s evolving political landscape.