As the cradle of the free speech movement in the 1960s, the University of California at Berkeley is a cherished place in the hearts of American liberals. And that's precisely why the far right is bringing its own "free speech" movement to the historic steps of Sproul Plaza.Eight months after a crowd of protesters ran him off campus, conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos is back, organizing a four-day event dubbed "Free Speech Week" on Berkeley's campus Sept. 24 to 27. The event's website has featured Ann Coulter, Steve Bannon, noted anti-Islam crusader Pam Geller, and Blackwater founder Erik Prince. Other slated speakers range from conspiracy theorists to a right-wing, Banksy-like street artist. The four days' themes: "Feminism Awareness Day," "Islamic Peace and Tolerance Day," "Mario Savio Is Dead" (higher education), and "Zuck 2020" (internet freedom).
The ringleader, Yiannopoulos—who's known for disparaging transgender people, feminists, and Muslims, among others—resigned from Breitbart News in February amid backlash against his comments appearing to condone pedophilia.
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