Some Protestors Arrested During TPUSA Event, DOJ Launches Investigation

Turning Point USA (Right bias) held an event with nearly 1000 attendees at the University of California, Berkeley, on Monday, sparking protests and some instances of political violence. 

The Details: City and university officers arrested at least three protestors who will face charges such as battery, obstruction and trespassing. In addition, at least one student was arrested and released with a citation. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday that investigations “into all the potential criminal and civil aspects” will be conducted by both the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof announced that the university will also be conducting an investigation and cooperating with federal efforts “to identify the outside agitators responsible.” Attorney General Pam Bondi placed blame on the US-designated terrorist organization known as Antifa. 

For Context: TPUSA was founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in a grievous act of political violence in early September. 

How The Media Covered It: Fox News (Right) speculated that the protests may be a part of a larger, organized movement carried out by the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration and Immigration Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (also known as By Any Means Necessary or BAMN). Fox wrote that “the group proudly broadcast videos on its Instagram channel of its leaders stoking an angry mob on the streets again… staging a protest that turned into a bloody brawl.” The outlet emphasized its framing by stating, “As experts note, the case illustrates how organizations leverage nonprofit status to claim moral and legal legitimacy while allegedly fomenting organized street violence, sectarian division and communal hate, activities outside the boundaries of ‘charitable’ purpose.” CNN (Lean Left) wrote that Trump administration officials “described the protests as violent,” rather than professing the label of violence itself. The outlet also noted that Mogulof “condemned any violence around the event,” and UC Berkeley’s TPUSA chapter president reportedly “condemned the violence but acknowledged most protests on Monday were peaceful.” United Press International (Center) gave voice to both protestors and supporters, and it highlighted reports of the chant, “UC Berkeley makes it clear: Fascists are not welcome here.”

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