Conservative activists to take part in rally at UC Berkeley today

Amy Hollyfield Image
ByAmy Hollyfield KGO logo
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Conservative activists to take part in rally at UC Berkeley
Free Speech Week has been cancelled, but UC Berkeley is still bracing for possible problems. Two conservative activists say they are coming and then will march to a park.

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Free Speech Week has been cancelled at UC Berkeley, but the campus is still bracing for possible problems.

Two speakers say they are coming to Cal and then will march to a park where they will be giving speeches.

WATCH VIDEO: What to do if you're stopped by police at a rally

With all of the protests that take place across the Bay Area, SF public defenders are reminding residents of their legal rights if they're arrested.

Joey Gibson is one of the speakers who says he is coming today. He is the founder of Patriot Prayer, that's the group that was planning to speak at Crissy Field last month but cancelled because of safety concerns. He says he denounces racism and doesn't want extremists at his events, but his appearances sometimes attract them anyway.

RELATED: UC Berkeley official says 'we got played on Free Speech Week'

Kyle Chapman also says he is coming today. He calls himself Based Stickman and is charged with possessing an illegal weapon in the form of a stick at a pro-Trump rally this summer.

Milo Yiannopoulos was at UC Berkeley on Sunday, he made a quick 15 minute appearance. UC Berkeley says it cost the university $800,000 in security.

RELATED: Hundreds gather during Milo Yiannopoulos' speech at UC Berkeley

Campus officials say they are planning security for today's events, which are set to start for 2 p.m.