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Violence erupted on the University of California, Berkeley campus last night ahead of an event hosted by Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization.
Video taken at the scene shows a man being confronted by a group of protesters while selling Kirk’s signature “Freedom” t-shirts outside of the venue.
It’s not clear which side instigated the violence, but the man selling the shirts wound up with a bloodied face after a brief clash with one of the protesters (video below).
Clash on campus caught on camera; footage quickly spreads across social media
The confrontation was caught on camera by several of those in attendance, and footage is now circulating across social media.
In many cases, the clip has been shared with the clear hope of advancing a political agenda by blaming the other side.
“Two arrested as a fight between an ANTIFA member and a Trump supporter breaks out at UC Berkeley,” reads one such post.
“Unclear who started the fight, but the Trump supporter who was left bloodied stated that it was the ANTIFA member who tried to rob him first,” the tweet continues.
“Both men have been arrested and several ANTIFA members attempted to ‘de-arrest’ their comrade as he was being detained by police.”
It’s important to note that the term “Antifa” refers to a broad, global anti-fascist movement, and not a formal organization of which there are “members.”
For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the person who posted that tweet seems to be wilfully misrepresenting this situation as an act of organized gang violence.
Kirk’s life and legacy remain hot-button political issues
As you’re likely aware, Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking engagement at a Utah college back in September.
That was the first of a scheduled tour of campus appearances for the conservative podcast host, with the final event scheduled for last night.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, his widow, Erika Kirk, was named CEO of Turning Point USA.
She was reportedly not on hand for Monday’s event at Berkeley, but TMZ notes that conservative actor Rob Schneider was in attendance.
No one who was arrested last night has spoken publicly about the incident at this time, but that’s likely to change very soon.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Charlie Kirk Supporter Bloodied In Brawl With Protesters on UC Berkeley Campus was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.