An event to honor Charlie Kirk erupted into chaos on Monday afternoon when a violent brawl broke out between an Antifa protester and a Trump supporter at UC Berkeley.
The confrontation, which happened outside Zellerbach Hall, was captured on multiple videos now circulating online, leaving one man bloodied and two people under arrest as police struggled to control a crowd that grew increasingly hostile.
The melee unfolded on the two-month anniversary of Kirk’s assassination and transformed what had been billed as a solemn conclusion to TPUSA’s ‘This Is The Turning Point’ tour into a volatile street battle.
As hundreds of Kirk supporters lined up outside the venue, protesters gathered nearby, some wearing keffiyehs and black clothing, many chanting ‘No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.’
Others hurled obscene taunts aimed directly at the conservative crowd, shouting ‘antisemites, go home’ and ‘f*** your dead homie,’ in reference to Kirk.
Shortly after 4:30pm, a scuffle broke out near Bancroft Way between a man selling ‘Freedom’ memorial T-shirts and a masked protester.
Cell phone footage shows the pair grappling as onlookers shout out.
The Trump supporter bleeding heavily from the face, continued shouting as Berkeley police officers moved in to separate the men.
A violent brawl broke out between an Antifa protester and a Trump supporter at UC Berkeley
Protesters scuffle with police prior to a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley on Monday
A clash quickly broke out between the protesters and a man selling Kirk memorial ‘Freedom’ t-shirts
At one point a police officer could be seen using his bike to separate the men, using it like a riot shield.
‘I was gay until Charlie Kirk showed me the way!’ the vendor yelled defiantly as officers handcuffed both combatants.
A Berkeley Police Department spokesperson confirmed two arrests, one on suspicion of battery, though details of the second arrest remain unclear.
Berkeley police, campus security, and California Highway Patrol officers rapidly deployed around the area.
Witnesses told Berkeleyside how officers donning helmets and face shields while forming barricades as several Antifa members attempted to ‘de-arrest’ their comrade.
Private security teams screened attendees at the entrance, while UCPD officers armed with pepper ball launchers positioned themselves between the protesters and the entrance to Zellerbach Hall.
By 7pm, three arrests had been made in total – two by Berkeley police and one by campus officers, according to university officials.
‘This is what they want – they want to see fights,’ one protester was heard telling another, pleading for restraint.
Berkeley Police officers eventually separated the two men outside the Turning Point USA event
Other protesters were detained by police prior to a Turning Point campus tour event
There were three arrests in total at the protest
Protesters face off against police outside the ‘This Is the Turning Point’ campus tour event
University police are seen outside the entrance of campus tour event
Despite the clashes outside, the event inside went ahead under heavy guard, headlined by Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek and comedian Rob Schneider – both of whom were close allies of Kirk.
In an interview with Fox News before the event, Dr. Frank Turek reflected on Kirk’s legacy and the symbolism of ending the tour at UC Berkeley, long considered a stronghold of left-wing activism.
‘If I could go to any one event with him, it would be that one,’ Turek said. ‘I wanted to go to UC Berkeley because it is so progressive and liberal in their views, and I wanted to provide evidence that Christianity was indeed true.’
Kirk had originally planned to lead the tour finale himself with his trademark ‘Prove Me Wrong’ debates – informal confrontations where he sparred directly with students.
Following his assassination at a Utah Valley University event on September 10, TPUSA restructured the tour around his message and legacy.
For Kirk’s followers, many of whom traveled hours to attend, the clashes only underscored the depth of division on America’s campuses.
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider spoke during the Turning Point campus tour event
Speaker Andrew Doyle, second from the right, were joined by actor and comedian Rob Schneider, far left, Author Frank Turek, center and Peter Gregory Boghossian, right,
There were plenty of red MAGA caps on display during the Turning Point event on Monday
A supporter holds up a photo of Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point event
Protesters with signs stand outside a Turning Point event at the University of California
For Kirk’s followers, many of whom traveled hours to attend, the clashes only underscored the depth of division on America’s campuses
‘We came here because Charlie inspired us,’ said attendee Ella Klosek, who drove five hours from Santa Maria.
She said Kirk’s religious teachings rather than his politics drew her to his work.
‘His message about traditional family values, about what it means to be a godly husband or wife – that’s what stuck with me.’
Inside the packed auditorium, the program opened with a tribute video featuring Kirk’s past speeches about courage, faith, and the fight for free expression.
