Four students from the University of California, Berkeley were arrested early Monday morning on felony vandalism charges. This arrest occurred in the lead-up to a Turning Point USA event scheduled at Zellerbach Hall later that evening.
Details of the Event
The event is part of Turning Point’s “American Comeback Tour,” which started on September 22. It is a sold-out gathering featuring notable speakers, including actor Rob Schneider and Christian author Frank Turek. The event also aims to honor the founder of Turning Point, Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated two months earlier.
Security Measures and Police Response
As the event approached, UC Berkeley’s police were on high alert. Officers were seen preparing security protocols on campus. The arrests of the students took place at Sather Gate, where the police observed suspicious activity late at night.
Arrests and Charges
Prior to their arrest, police discovered 28 flyers that had been illegally attached to the historic gate. Alongside the flyers, a ribbon was found that seemed to be linked to a large sculpture nearby, described as a 5-foot-tall cardboard bug. Authorities indicated this artwork was intended for a protest against the Turning Point event.
- The flyers contained quotes attributed to Charlie Kirk, critiquing abortion, gun control, and civil rights.
- Messages on the flyers expressed opposition to hate on campus and announced a protest rally at 4:30 p.m. outside Zellerbach Hall.
- The total cost of the vandalism was assessed at over $400.
Current Status of the Students
All four students, identified as young women aged between 20 and 22, are currently held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Their bail amounts range from $10,000 to $20,000. They are scheduled for arraignment on Thursday morning at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland. Notably, none of the students have previous criminal records in Alameda County.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. El-Balad will continue to monitor the situation closely.
