UC Berkeley Students Arrested for Vandalizing Anti-TPUSA Art Installation
Four UC Berkeley students were arrested early Monday morning for felony vandalism. Their actions were linked to a protest against an upcoming event organized by Turning Point USA (TPUSA). The arrests took place as the demonstrators attempted to hang a large cardboard bug from Sather Gate.
Details of the Arrest
The University of California Police Department (UCPD) arrested the students shortly after they began their protest. Initially, three of the individuals appeared to be undergraduates. They were later booked at Santa Rita County Jail, where they are currently awaiting bail. The bail amount is set at $20,000 for three students and $10,000 for the fourth.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
- The students face charges under Penal Code §594(b)(1) for felony vandalism.
- Booking records list the charge more broadly as §594(a)(1), which refers to defacement with graffiti or similar materials.
- In California, felony vandalism is defined as causing damage exceeding $400.
- The Alameda County District Attorney has not yet filed charges against the students.
- An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
Context of the Protest
This demonstration coincided with a controversial TPUSA event planned for that evening at Zellerbach Hall. The event had sold out, accommodating 2,000 attendees, and was set to begin at 6:30 p.m. The protest involved distributing inflammatory posters that included quotes attributed to TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.
Content of the Posters
One notable quote circulated among the protesters stated, “Black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously.” Such messages were part of the students’ campaign against hate speech on campus.
Protest Regulations
The UCPD noted that the students’ actions could have violated time, place, and manner (TPM) regulations set by the campus. These regulations restrict individuals from obstructing or attaching anything to Sather Gate, which can lead to criminal implications despite not being classified as independent offenses.
Response from Campus Authorities
As of now, campus officials have not released a statement regarding the arrests. This story remains fluid, with updates expected as more information becomes available.
