I was assaulted at Berkeley because I'm conservative. Free speech is under attack.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The past two weeks have been surreal. On Feb. 19, while recruiting conservative students on campus at the University of California-Berkeley, I was assaulted by a violent leftist. A little more than a week later, I got to shake hands with the president of the United States and address an audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference about why it's more important than ever to protect free speech on our college campuses.
As a field representative for the Leadership Institute, I travel to campuses throughout California helping conservative clubs recruit and train new members. I've seen the intolerance and hate toward conservatives on our campuses with my own eyes, and the only difference between what happened to me on Feb. 19 and every other day is that the event was caught on video.
Conservative students across the country have suffered verbal and physical assault , social ostracism and even academic persecution for voicing their opinions on political topics. This is because young liberals believe that they are on the morally righteous side in a culture war and, in order to win, they must silence any form of dissent. Leftists and the progressives aspire to nothing less than to make it de facto impossible to be conservative in public.
The United States is well on its way to achieving this goal, based on the Covington Catholic High School incident. Wearing a red hat near the Lincoln Memorial was apparently enough for the news and social media personalities to label the act provocation, and commentators worked aggressively to "dox " the students. In their frenzy, students were even misidentified, and at least one boy and his family were allegedly harassed. By contrast, there was not a similar rush to expose the identity of the man who was caught on video assaulting me.
Differing political ideas treated as violent
Increasingly, leftists believe they are justified to respond to ideas disagreeable to them with open hostility and even force. Students are commonly told now that words are literally violent and can be responded to with physical force. I don't mean verbal threats of violence or efforts to intimidate, I mean words that express ideas that the listener finds offensive or disagrees with.
The message that provoked my attacker was our sign that read "Hate Crime Hoaxes Hurt Real Victims," a reference to the recent case of Jussie Smollett , who was charged by Chicago police with filing a false police report about an apparently fictitious attack. My attacker said we were promoting violence, which, in his view, gives him permission to use any means necessary to shut us down. The irony is that the sign was intended to warn of the danger of disregarding facts and jumping to judgment in an effort to confirm a narrative our feelings tell us is true.
The message applies to more than the Smollett story, and the search for truth is certainly relevant on campuses of higher education, where students are supposed to grow personally and intellectually — not only through textbook and classroom learning but also by exchanging ideas, debating tough topics, and being challenged to defend their views. This growth cannot happen when speech is restricted — that's not only a disservice to students but a threat to our republic as well.
Berkeley's anti-conservative record
The Berkeley administration in particular has allowed a culture of intolerance and violence toward conservatives to grow. The College Republicans club has had its property vandalized , and critics have called for the members to be lynched . When there was a pro-Trump rally in April 2017, a former community college professor was arrested for allegedly assaulting multiple supporters with a bike lock. He later accepted a plea deal.
When Milo Yiannopoulos visited in February 2017, the campus became the site of violent riots. Some people even threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks, injuring students and causing $100,000 worth of damage to the school. Berkeley police canceled the speech after "an apparently organized violent attack and destruction of property" forced them to evacuate Yiannopoulos for his own protection.
After I was assaulted, a university employee tweeted (now deleted), "The MAGA people on UC Berkeley campus yesterday got punched in the face by someone this makes me feel emotionally so much better."
Since the arrest last week of the person who assaulted me, we have learned that he was once a student and employee of UC Berkeley.
Progress depends on the freedom of the human person to develop ideas and voice them. And we’re all better when this intellectual growth happens. The battle to protect free speech is one of the most important culture battles facing our nation today.
There are so many students across the country fighting for their right to free speech. They don’t do it for recognition; they do it because they understand how imperative this human right is and are willing to defend it.
President Donald Trump's forthcoming executive order requiring colleges and universities to protect free speech in order to receive federal funds shows that he agrees. I'm proud of our president and, as I get ready to head back out in the field, I draw strength in knowing that we have his support and the support of conservative students who continue to stand up for their political beliefs.
Hayden Williams is a field representative for Leadership Institute . Follow him on Twitter @HaydenTrilliams .
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I was assaulted at Berkeley because I'm conservative. Free speech is under attack.
And did you turn the other cheek?
Kidding aside, I have to ask how this individual happened to pick you out as a conservative? Not that it does not happen from time to time, but it is a tad unusual (even in these times) for someone to smack someone for no particular reason. I do not believe that facial recognition technology has been developed to the point of being able to distinguish liberals from their counterparts.
slapped stick comedy, or body's reaction to the Laws of Physics...
u D side
Might I suggest reading the posted article and clicking the links...they will guide you to the very beginning of the story and answer all of your questions.
I don't know why anyone would defend this Criminal Thug. Freedom of speech, the free exchange of Ideas and the right to publicly assemble and share those ideas is the basis of our Democracy without which we cannot have an informed Electorate. These rights are not limited to those who have Good Ideas or Socially Acceptable Ideas, We all know what is socially acceptable changes over time largely because we've protected Free Speech. This Thug (or any other) does not have the Right to limit anyone else's free speech, he does not have the right to shut him down because he doesn't agree with what is being said and he certainly doesn't have the right to use violence and intimidation to stop someone's free speech no matter how offensive he believes it to be. We all have the right to make up our own minds whether an Idea is good or bad as we see it, we can agree or not as we each see fit. We also have the right to not listen at all, we can close our minds and remain unchanged for the rest of our lives (many people do), but we do not have the right to prevent others from listening and making their own decisions just because we don't trust them to make what we think is the right decision. In this country we have a lot of people expressing ideas and opinions, some good, some bad, some that I agree with, most I don't. I'm glad they have the right to express those ideas and opinions though because every once in a while someone comes up with a new idea so great it makes putting up with all the rest worth it, and many times that great new Idea is not well received or socially acceptable at first, it takes time and freedom for people to see wisdom.
It is unfortunate that it appears the younger generations aren't able to debate issues and speak their minds without resorting to violence. It is also unfortunate to see how many divert attention away from this issue by pointing fingers elsewhere.
Jussie Smollett's fake assault becomes a mantra for 'all hate crimes are growing'...and this actual assault becomes a need for diversion.
Neither political party walks on water...there is no 'right' in this...there are plenty of wrongs. Like it or not...we all have rights. Violence should NEVER be an acceptable answer.
These things always have more details than the first knee jerk reactions posted by the first article to hit the internet.
At least 2 people strongly objected to being filmed
and asked that the victim (Williams) stop filming them.
It's still unclear who started this, but it is clear that Greenberg suck punched Williams when Williams raised the phone again, apparently to keep filming.
Caution, bad language and bad manners.
Thanks for posting that. I did see where the guy asked that the victim explain what he was 'effing doing...and state, "You're not videoing me." The victim states they are in public and he's doing it for his own safety. The one who wants him to stop videoing then states he's encouraging violence. That's when things get violent. The victims voice was not raised, nor was he cussing, so why did the violence occur? Was it because he was taking video for his own safety? Why didn't those two just walk away?
I must say, if I were approached by people like that, I too would pull out my cell phone to take video of it.
The first guy objected strongly to something on the table ( covered in red "cloth" with signs on the other side ) which I cannot make out.
Conversely, why do some people, not students, set up a table on a campus, knowing that they need to video their interactions because they know
there will be potential altercations?
Is it a missionary complex?
Unfortunately reminded of the Black Hebrews at the Lincoln Memorial being verbally very racist and ignorant, also filming themselves for hours, expecting the same kind of attack.
yet , you can't see why you are FAR MORE likely to get punched in the face...?
This wasn't a video camera, as was the case for the Black Hebrew Israelites...it was a smart phone. Something we all carry.
As for what the guy was ' objecting to'...
ditto
.
exploiting the division , only multiplies, as in order to divide, one multiplies
the factors and that's a fact tore right out of a good book, right
there on a shelf of good books
How many times can you divide 0 then times(x) that by 1
and you see where this Bullshit blame the Left
hook on a hooker without a pimp pulling the union apart,
as
peep holes divide dead, are a doored by conquerors
I have to ask...why would you assume that I would be far more likely to get punched in the face? Is it because I might hold different views than you? Should I not expect the same freedoms of speech that you feel you have a right to?
Aggressive behaviors are not an acceptable response to someone's right to freedom of speech.
No
Yes
"Aggressive behaviors are not an acceptable response to someone's right to freedom of speech."
Agreed
I heard that too.
More than likely the felony charge will be plead down to multiple misdemeanors.
More depends on the financial health of the County than anything else.
They will seek enough charges to make sure he pays for everything including the cost of his own probation.
Not trying to be disagreeable but the Black Hebrews were definitely filming with smart phones also.
At other events their "security team" always have a cell phone in one hand and a billy club in the other.
Apologies to the seeder for derailing.
In fact he is now charged with 3 felonys and one misdemeanor at a minimum.
Although he threatened to shoot Mr Williams, he is still covered by a restraining order from a previous roommate which forced him to surrender his firearms.
Did you even read my elaboration of why i did state what i did state ?
I don't agree with the idiot throwing down, it is what it is in the United Divided States today, and if the conservative clown had faced his phone towards the ground, i don't think we would be talking about this at all, as it wouldn't of happened. PERIOD
Do people on the 'Right" live in the same America i do...?
Sorry that so many don't, or can't see, how they are further being used to Divide US, as in the real world, the one i lived and live in, you needed to know when to engage people, and with what tone and temperament, and be ready to back up your beliefs, or learn Diplomacy tactics, cause todays America is divided.
I've worked in many Nasty Downtrodden Hoods, and rarely have i had to resort to violence, but, it can never be ruled out.
Ones survival may depend on it. Mine does and did, yet i'm able to hang with very varying scopes and types of people. Some, that would not hesitate to punch about any one in the face, over less than what i observed in these video clips.
Others, that wouldn't even raise their voices.
I haven't been in any scuffles of the physical nature in a while, besides being called upon to break up others.
Hey, Pacifism works for some, and i appreciate and salute them, i was just brought up in a world where it wouldn't cut it.
I used to be ready to throw down, verbally or physically, with about N E body, now a daze, i prefer verbal jujitsu, over gettin bloody, but we all do what we have to.
Well if that's the case why didn't they accost the guy video taping them accosting the guy video taping them?
Obviously the guy doing the sucker punching was a triggered snowflake. He told the guy he accosted that he was inciting hate.
I don't see the other side of the story...
Like I stated, something on that table, or the signs on it, were what the guy in the grey hoodie said were inciting hate. They are not visible, but they will be taken into consideration when Greenberg pleads this down to disturbing the peace. It remains to be seen if Williams takes it any further with a civil suit.
Obviously none of them were aware that someone else was filming the dispute and altercation as well. That was very good for Williams.
flip the coin
sure was, cause when this original seeded article was first read,mit didn't add up
Context is again
key
While you may not care for the source of this article ...it does show the table, and more video from the incident.
I don't see where Greenfield could possibly plead this down to disturbing the peace given the video of him cold cocking Williams, and his declaring 'I'll shoot your ass'. There are too many videos showing a violent assault.
Now, let's look at what was on the table. A sign "This is MAGA Country", and a sign "Hate Crime Hoaxes Hurt Real Victims". I can understand those who are disturbed by anything MAGA...even the Hate Crime Hoaxes might rile someone...but none of that gives anyone a right to behave aggressively, or assault anyone. Exchange words...express your disdain...yell and scream if it makes you feel better...but NEVER resort to violence. Period.
the video seems to be missing the initial provocation, which isn't surprising given the source and subject matter. not having the opportunity to see what they were displaying on the table is also a bit troubling. another major NT video disappointment for me. I was expecting... more, a lot more. Like 7 unedited minutes and an ambulance in the final shot more. The puncher seemed more upset just about having his picture taken.
If this is some kind of new tactic for random trumpsters put themselves in situations where they get their asses kicked on video to prove they're being persecuted, I fully encourage it.
Might I suggest reading the comments...there are links provided throughout that offer more video and table contents.
It is unfortunate and disturbing that you would encourage any type of violence for any reason.
That's what it appears to be to me, from the evidence so far provided, just more of Trumps one sided accusatory themed BullShit, constantly pushed by the oh so innocent so wrongly called "right", looking for, finding, and then losing the Fight, where , actually they have again won, as so often proven by their base, for the sheep are always smarter than the amount of flocking ignorance to the "right" mentality , too ignorant to see through
what is truly true
i hang out with groups arrested for kicking the asses of ALL types.
What exactly does the fact that most of them have similar views as to that of Trump n Cump mean ?