Four arrested over fight in ‘EMPATHY TENT’ at UC Berkeley

At least four people were arrested after a fight broke out inside an ’empathy tent’ during a right-wing rally at the University of California, Berkeley.  

Amid heavy police presence, yesterday’s protest was led by Joey Gibson, leader of a conservative group called Patriot Prayer, and his supporters including Kyle Chapman, a self-described ‘American nationalist.’

Gibson had called for the rally after student organizers canceled a planned ‘Free Speech Week’ that was to feature right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos.

Gibson had posted a video on Facebook saying he wanted to bring attention to ‘disgusting things happening at Berkeley,’ the birthplace of America’s free speech movement.

Anti-fascist counter-protesters determined to shut the event down got into shouting matches and scuffles with Gibson and his supporters inside an ’empathy tent’ set up on campus, and later in a city park.

Police said they arrested four people, including left-wing activist Yvonne Felarca, for battery and resisting arrest. 

Police said Ricky Joseph Monzon (left), 20, of Las Vegas, was arrested for carrying a banned weapon while Eddy Robinson (right), 47, of Oakland, was arrested on charges of participating in a riot and resisting arrest

Police said Ricky Joseph Monzon, 20, of Las Vegas, was arrested for carrying a banned weapon while Eddy Robinson, 47, of Oakland, was arrested on charges of participating in a riot and resisting arrest. 

Berkeley’s reputation as a liberal bastion has made it a flashpoint for the country’s political divisions since the election of President Donald Trump.

Four protests have turned violent on campus and in the nearby city in recent months, prompting authorities to tighten security as they struggle to balance free speech rights with preventing violence.

Gibson had called for the rally after student organizers canceled a planned ‘Free Speech Week’ that was to feature right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos (pictured on Sunday)