UC Berkeley

ANN COULTER BERKELEY PROTEST: Mayor praises city, demonstrators for keeping peace

Friday, April 28, 2017
Berkeley's mayor responded to efforts to keep the peace during yesterday's dueling protests over Ann Coulter and free speech issues.
BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Berkeley's mayor responded to efforts to keep the peace during yesterday's dueling protests over Ann Coulter and free speech issues.

PHOTOS: Groups protest in Berkeley over Ann Coulter

Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter’s speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Demonstrators gather during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Berkeley, Calif. residents gather to speak out against violence on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Oathkeepers arrive at a demonstration in Berkeley, Calif. to "protect the innocent" on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
A demonstrator waves a flag during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police make an arrest during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
A demonstrator holds up a sign during a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
Police prepare for a protest following the cancelation of Ann Coulter's speech at UC Berkeley on Thursday, April 27, 2017.none
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Mayor Jesse Arreguin said, "I'm proud that the university, the city, and our community stood shoulder-to-shoulder and allowed those with differing views to come and say their piece.

We may disagree with what they said, but we'll forever defend their right to say it. We just had one rule: do it peacefully. No violence, no vandalism. End of story."

RELATED: COULTER CAL PROTEST: Social media reactions

Hundreds gathered for the protests. There were only seven arrests and, no injuries or property damage was reported. Coulter did not appear.

Mayor Arreguin's full statement can be read below.




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