Several masked protesters who were demonstrating outside conservative commentator Ann Coulter’s event on the campus of UC Berkeley were arrested Wednesday night, according to local police.
The UC Berkeley Police Department in a tweet Wednesday wrote that “multiple masked protesters arrested at tonight’s campus event” where Coulter delivered remarks on immigration in an event titled “Adios, America.”
Police in a press conference after the event said “six or seven” people were arrested and one was injured during the night on campus, according to local news outlet Berkeley Side.
Photos and video circulating on social media from outside the event showed a crowd of hundreds protesting Coulter’s appearance on campus.
“We have work to do to continue to find ways we can accommodate profound differences of opinion. We believe we have met our obligations to both free speech and the rule of law, and to provide for the safety and well-being of students and campus guests,” UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof told the news outlet.
Protesters were reportedly trying to block people who had tickets from attending the event, though they were ultimately unsuccessful.
Police were seen in riot gear guarding the entrance to the Wheeler Hall auditorium on campus. Coulter was escorted in through the main doors by police.
After the event ended, attendees were escorted out of a side door by police with hundreds of demonstrators still outside.
Wednesday marked Coulter’s second attempt in three years to speak at the university, with her previous event in 2017 derailed after the university canceled it due to security concerns.