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Conservative Commentator Speaks at University Amid Heavy Security

by Associated Press

   BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA --

   The University of California, Berkeley increased security Thursday
   ahead of a speech by Ben Shapiro, a conservative commentator invited by
   campus Republicans.

   As Shapiro spoke Thursday night, a few hundred people protested
   outside. The demonstrators are peaceful, with some chanting against
   fascism, white supremacists and President Donald Trump.

   City police arrested Hannah Benjamin, 20, for battery on a police
   officer and carrying a banned weapon. Meanwhile, 44-year-old Sarah
   Roark was taken into custody for carrying a banned weapon.

   Inside the hall, Shapiro addressed a friendly, sold-out crowd of 1,000.
   He encouraged people to hold civil discussions with people who have
   different opinions, saying that's what America is all about.
   He condemned white supremacists as "a very small select group of
   absolutely terrible people who believe absolutely terrible things."

   Earlier Thursday campus police closed Sproul Plaza, which is in front
   of Zellerbach, and police with riot gear surrounded it to thwart any
   violence. UC Berkeley Police Chief Margot Bennett said protesters could
   demonstrate on nearby streets, about a block away.

   Eighteen-year-old high school senior Nick Handley says he tried to get
   others to come to Berkeley with him from Modesto, about 90 miles (145
   kilometers) east of San Francisco.
   But he says they were scared about the potential violence outside.
   Handley says the heavy police presence is sad, particularly since
   taxpayer money is being spent.
   UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof says the security could cost
   $600,000.