So much for free speech on campus — how ironic

Then

That was then, this is now.

In the 1960s the Berkeley campus of the University of California was home to the so-called Free Speech Movement, which was closely associated with various liberal causes at the time and agitated for political activity on campus.

Last night violent protesters throwing rocks and metal barricades and setting fires caused the school administration to cancel a speech by arch-rightwing rabble rouser Milo Yiannopoulos, a Breitbart editor.

There were an estimated 1,500 peaceful protesters outside where the speech was scheduled to take place but nearing the time of the speech they were joined by 150 masked people.

“This was a group of agitators who were masked up, throwing rocks, commercial grade fireworks and Molotov cocktails at officers,” UC Berkeley Police Chief Margo Bennet told The Associated Press, but there were no reports of arrests or serious injuries.

Apparently on California campuses free speech is allowed only for fellow liberals, because Yiannopoulos speeches were also canceled at UC Davis and UCLA.

President Trump tweeted: “If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view – NO FEDERAL FUNDS?”

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) sent out a press release saying, “FIRE condemns both violence and attempts to silence protected expression in the strongest terms. We also urge that decisions affecting long-term policy be made only after all the facts are gathered and with appropriate opportunity for reasoned discussion.”

It duly noted that the cancellation was for safety reasons and Berkeley as an institution made no effort to silence Yiannopoulos.

If free speech belongs only to those with whom one agrees, it is hardly free. The hooligans should be ashamed of themselves, but that is not likely.

FIRE concluded:

The events at Berkeley should alarm citizens from across the political spectrum who hold dear the liberal values enshrined in the First Amendment. FIRE will continue to insist that the proper answer to speech you hate is more speech, and we stand with the vast majority of Americans who live according to this principle every day.

Now

The definition of fascism:

a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

Look up the definition of irony.