Assault reported amid protest of conservative speaker on UC Davis campus, university says
Updated: 10:14 PM PDT Apr 3, 2025
DEAD HEZBOLLAH LEADER ON HER PHONE. A PROTEST TURNED VIOLENT TODAY AT UC DAVIS CONSERVATIVE EVENT. THE SCHOOL SAYS THE CONSERVATIVE STUDENT RUN ORGANIZATION TURNING POINT USA WAS HOLDING A SPEAKER EVENT AT THE MEMORIAL UNION QUAD WHEN A GROUP OF DEMONSTRATORS CONFRONTED THEM. UNIVERSITY POLICE SAY ONE STRUCK AN OBSERVER, WHILE ANOTHER TORE DOWN A TENT A
Assault reported amid protest of conservative speaker on UC Davis campus, university says
Updated: 10:14 PM PDT Apr 3, 2025
Ahead of a scheduled event on the UC Davis campus on Thursday, a squabble occurred between protestors and supporters of a conservative speaker, the university said. The UC Davis chapter of Turning Point USA, a registered student organization, invited right-wing political commentator Brandon Tatum to speak at the Memorial Union Quad at 1 p.m. The university noted that Student Affairs coordinated with Turning Point USA, Safety Services and other departments to create a safety plan ahead of the event. A spokesperson for the university said that about an hour before the speech, a group of 30 demonstrators approached a tent and table staffed by those supporting the event. “A demonstrator struck one observer who approached the group with a camera phone,” the spokesperson said. “Other demonstrators pulled down the tent and engaged in shoving with those staffing the tent and others nearby. The demonstrators left the area, then returned a few minutes later and again sought to remove a tent set up on the quad.”Officials said the UC Davis Police Department took one report of assault, but no one requested medical assistance. The event took place as scheduled, the university said. The campus is now reviewing its safety preparations for the event. “UC Davis condemns all forms of violence,” the spokesperson said. “The university affirms and supports the right of our students to invite speakers to our campus, to express their views, and to peacefully protest speakers whose views they find upsetting or offensive. Those engaged in speech activity must comply with federal and state laws and campus policies protecting lawful access to university programs and facilities.”Officials said UC Davis police are investigating the incident. No one has been arrested. A speaker sponsored by the University of the Pacific’s chapter of Turning Point USA also sparked controversy last month. Read more about that here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
DAVIS, Calif. —Ahead of a scheduled event on the UC Davis campus on Thursday, a squabble occurred between protestors and supporters of a conservative speaker, the university said.
The UC Davis chapter of Turning Point USA, a registered student organization, invited right-wing political commentator Brandon Tatum to speak at the Memorial Union Quad at 1 p.m.
The university noted that Student Affairs coordinated with Turning Point USA, Safety Services and other departments to create a safety plan ahead of the event.
A spokesperson for the university said that about an hour before the speech, a group of 30 demonstrators approached a tent and table staffed by those supporting the event.
“A demonstrator struck one observer who approached the group with a camera phone,” the spokesperson said. “Other demonstrators pulled down the tent and engaged in shoving with those staffing the tent and others nearby. The demonstrators left the area, then returned a few minutes later and again sought to remove a tent set up on the quad.”
Officials said the UC Davis Police Department took one report of assault, but no one requested medical assistance.
The event took place as scheduled, the university said. The campus is now reviewing its safety preparations for the event.
“UC Davis condemns all forms of violence,” the spokesperson said. “The university affirms and supports the right of our students to invite speakers to our campus, to express their views, and to peacefully protest speakers whose views they find upsetting or offensive. Those engaged in speech activity must comply with federal and state laws and campus policies protecting lawful access to university programs and facilities.”
Officials said UC Davis police are investigating the incident. No one has been arrested.
A speaker sponsored by the University of the Pacific’s chapter of Turning Point USA also sparked controversy last month. Read more about that here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
